PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian government will partner with the Netherlands' Port of Rotterdam and German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on a study into fast-tracking hydrogen exports from the Oakajee strategic industrial area (SIA) in the Mid-West.

The Oakajee SIA has some of Australia's best renewable energy resources, and the potential to become one of the largest renewable hydrogen producing areas in the world.

Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan met with the representatives of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the program manager for International Hydrogen from the Port of Rotterdam to discuss the trilateral study.

Providing a platform for joint research and opportunities for businesses from both continents, the study will examine technology solutions and port master planning, to help accelerate the export of renewable hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives through the development of an integrated port at the Oakajee SIA.

It will include a site-specific estimation of hydrogen generation, supply costs to the Port of Rotterdam, and possible port-to-customer transport to Germany.

The West Australian government will invest A$500 000 in the study, with the Port of Rotterdam allocating €250 000. BMBF intends to contribute funding of up to €500 000.

Western Australia's Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the Mid-West Port Authority will undertake the study with the Port of Rotterdam and Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE).

The Port of Rotterdam and ISE will contribute world-leading innovative technology solutions that will assist in accelerating hydrogen production and exports to Europe before the end of this decade.

The study builds on strong relationships that were formed through the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord, and the memorandum of understanding signed by the Western Australian government and the Port of Rotterdam in November 2021.

“The European Union has set a target of importing 10-million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030 to replace fossil fuels across Europe,” MacTiernan said on Thursday.

“The Oakajee SIA is a prime example of how Western Australia, with our abundance of renewable energy resources and suitable land areas - is well placed to meet this demand.

“This trilateral study is an important step in establishing a renewable hydrogen supply chain from Western Australia to Germany and the Netherlands.”