PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australia’s Ark Energy and its parent company Korea Zinc, as well as Korean conglomerates Hanwha Impact and SK Gas, have formed a consortium to unlock Queensland’s hydrogen potential and to build a green energy export corridor connecting North Queensland to north-east Asia.

Han-Ho Hydrogen Consortium would develop a supply chain to export more than one-million tonnes of green ammonia a year from Australia to Korea by 2032. At the heart of the Consortium’s plans will be the development of Ark Energy’s Collinsville Green Energy Hub southwest of Bowen which will have the potential to generate up to 3 000 MW.

“Today is another step forward in Queensland’s quest to be a hydrogen powerhouse,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Wednesday.

“We welcome this major new Consortium to Queensland – to accelerate progress in our green hydrogen industry and advance green energy exports to Korea.

“Korea is Queensland’s third-largest two-way trading partner and one our largest sources for foreign investment. The world’s largest zinc producer Korea Zinc is a longstanding important contributor to our regional economy, and through the Sun Metals Corporation, is the largest private sector employer in North Queensland.

“Now, its subsidiary Ark Energy is not only helping Korea Zinc to decarbonise and produce green zinc, it’s transforming North Queensland into a hydrogen powerhouse.”

Palaszczuk said that the memorandum of understanding inked by the Consortium members, signalled their intention to develop future green hydrogen and ammonia opportunities in North Queensland which meant more local jobs and more investment.

Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim said the company would lead the Consortium by leveraging its experience building the domestic hydrogen economy of North Queensland through SunHQ Hydrogen Hub as well as its renewable energy portfolio including the Collinsville Green Energy Hub southwest of Bowen, which would have a potential generation capacity of up to 3 000 MW.

“Strategic partnerships will be essential to building a new green ammonia supply chain from Queensland to Korea and we are delighted that Korea Zinc, Hanwha Impact and SK Gas have decided to join our Consortium,” Kim said.

In January last year, Korea Zinc launched its subsidiary Ark Energy in Queensland, to accelerate its energy transition, beginning with Sun Metals zinc refinery in Townsville.

Based at the refinery, Ark Energy’s SunHQ Hydrogen Hub (SunHQ) will produce green hydrogen from a behind-the-meter connection to the co-located 124 MWac Sun Metals solar farm.

Phase 1 of SunHQ is supported by a A$5-million Queensland government funding commitment, through Round 1 of the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund.

Minister for Energy, Renewable and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said since the launch of the Queensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy in 2019, the Queensland government had been working to further develop Queensland’s clean hydrogen export industry.

“Queensland is a proud resource state, powered by tens of thousands of highly skilled technicians, tradespeople and project specialists.

“The strength of Queensland’s existing infrastructure, combined with our future investment pipeline, is setting up towns like Townsville and regions like North Queensland to cement Queensland’s position as a global green hydrogen leader.”