PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government on Wednesday announced the establishment of the Townsville Hydrogen Industry Working Group, which will focus on attracting industrial development to the region.

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the private sector had identified Townsville as an optimal location to develop hydrogen projects with long-term potential for the export of renewable hydrogen.

Dick said the global transition to a low-carbon future presents tremendous investment opportunities in solar and wind farms, and biomass.

“The Queensland Hydrogen Forum in Townsville is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to transition to a clean energy future and build stronger regional economies.

“We want to lead the race to provide a new source of clean energy to the world and our regions are the key to our success.

“We’re very pleased that companies of the calibre of Origin and Sun Metals are actively pursuing renewable hydrogen projects and we are looking forward to working with them to bring these projects to life,” Dick said.

“A sustainable hydrogen industry has all the qualities to provide a new source of economic growth, open export markets and generate highly skilled jobs for Queenslanders.”

The Townsville Hydrogen Forum follows the release of the government’s five-year Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy and Hydrogen Industry Development Fund, a A$15-million contestable funding programme to support eligible hydrogen projects establish in Queensland.

Expressions of interest to the fund have been shortlisted and these applicants are currently preparing detailed applications for assessment. The successful projects will be announced in the near future.

“When it comes to growing this new sector, we are moving fast,” Dick said.

“We will continue to build on this momentum as we work in partnership with researchers and industry, and we will continue to work closely with our trade and investment partners.”