Three Hydrogen Industry Champions in Gladstone, Redlands and Townsville will be appointed to help achieve the Palaszczuk Government’s vision for a Queensland hydrogen industry.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said local members Mr Glenn Butcher MP, Member for Gladstone; Ms Kim Richards MP, Member for Redlands; and Mr Scott Stewart MP, Member for Townsville have been appointed.
“These three Champions will boost the profile of renewable hydrogen in their regions and promote the fast-emerging opportunities for renewable hydrogen in Queensland,” Mr Dick said.
“Gladstone, Redlands and Townsville already show great potential for hydrogen, with significant investment already in place in those regions.”
Gladstone and Townsville have already been identified by the private sector as prime locations for renewable hydrogen production and export opportunities, and the Queensland Government’s Redlands Research Facility will host the QUT-led hydrogen pilot plant.
Mr Dick said the Hydrogen Industry Champions will complement a body of work already underway to implement the .
“Our Hydrogen Champions will work with domestic and international stakeholders, build on existing relationships and projects, and catalyse investment in the state’s hydrogen industry,” Mr Dick said.
“They will also complement the Queensland hydrogen envoy and advisor in Japan Professor Sugiyama, and Professor Ian Mackinnon the Queensland Strategic Hydrogen Advisor.
“We now have a champion representing Queensland’s hydrogen interests at global, state and local levels.”
Mr Dick said that by 2030 the Hydrogen industry will be worth about $1.7 billion in exports annually and generate significant economic benefits for Australia.
“Since releasing the Hydrogen Industry strategy last year we are already seeing this industry grow in Queensland, and we will continue to position our state to be at the forefront of renewable hydrogen production in Australia by 2030,” Mr Dick said.
“Queensland has the land and renewable energy capacity, existing gas pipeline infrastructure and export facilities that make us an ideal location for renewable hydrogen production.”
