PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Korea Zinc subsidiary Ark Energy has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Port of Townsville, in North Queensland, to ship up to 120 000 t of renewable hydrogen to South Korea within the next decade.

A feasibility study will investigate the development of a renewable hydrogen facility focused on the transport industry at fellow Korea Zinc subsidiary Sun Metals’ zinc refinery in Townsville, along with hydrogen export facilities at the Port of Townsville.

Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim said the initial goal is to build North Queensland’s domestic hydrogen economy by supporting fleet owners to transition away from diesel to zero emission hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, which can be refuelled at SunHQ.

“Ultimately our goal is to export green hydrogen to customers in Asia starting with our parent company in South Korea whose hydrogen demand could be as high as 200 000 t/y.

“We believe that Townsville has the potential to become a major global hub for hydrogen exports. The MoU with the Port of Townsville is an important step in our journey to investigate this exciting export opportunity, which has the potential to transform the regional economy of North Queensland.”

Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said Townsville, with its deep-water port and proximity to Asia, had a strategic edge to become a global hub for producing and exporting hydrogen.

“This is another exciting renewable energy project for the Port as green hydrogen becomes one of the most sought-after energy products on the world market,” she said.

“We believe Townsville is well placed to be at the forefront of this energy revolution, which will also boost our economic development, create new jobs and substantially reduce our carbon emissions.

“We recently released our Port Vision 2050, our roadmap for the next 30 years,  which has a strong emphasis on action for climate change. Facilitating the production, usage and export of green hydrogen is one of the Port’s strategic goals.”

Queensland Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said that the state government had backed Sun Metals with a A$5-million Hydrogen Industry Development Fund grant to kickstart hydrogen production in the North.

“Now, through partnerships like this one, Queensland hydrogen will help decarbonise the world and create decent, secure jobs for regional Queenslanders. Our key strategic advantage in Queensland is our State-owned ports,” De Brenni said.