A roundtable held today has highlighted the state’s strengths and identified challenges as we compete in the global battle for the investment needed to supercharge our hydrogen industry.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong, Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully joined some of Japan’s largest and most advanced players in hydrogen, supported by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Japan Business Co-operation Committee.
A green hydrogen industry in NSW has the potential to be a multi-billion-dollar industry supporting thousands of jobs.
Hydrogen has the potential to power everything from heavy-duty trucking fleets to steel blast furnaces and chemical manufacturing plants. The investment roundtable saw NSW Government representatives and Japanese business leaders join the Ministers to discuss the role of hydrogen in NSW’s energy transition and the opportunities for NSW and Japan to partner in this space.
The NSW Government is committed to growing the hydrogen industry and promoting NSW as a leading destination for international investment.
The roundtable follows the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding enhancing collaboration around the transition to net zero through hydrogen between the NSW Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government earlier this year, and the Fukuoka Prefectural Government late last year.
The NSW Government will use feedback from investors to continue refining the state’s pitch to attract the investment needed to drive large-scale hydrogen production.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“Japan is NSW’s second largest trading partner, and for many decades has been a substantial investor in the NSW energy sector.
“We have shared goals around achieving net zero by 2050, with the clean energy transition presenting a significant opportunity to grow and diversify our trade partnership.
“NSW is an attractive location for Japanese investment in hydrogen to support production and exports to the Asia-Pacific, opening up new economic opportunities for the state. ”
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:
“Hydrogen will play a key role in our transition to net zero and the NSW Government is working hard to ensure we have a thriving industry in NSW.
“Three hydrogen hubs are being developed across the Hunter Valley, Illawarra and Moree as we continue to work through our Hydrogen Strategy and set the foundations for a strong clean technology economy.
“Japan is a trusted trading partner with a like-minded approach to decarbonising the economy, making NSW hydrogen projects ideal investment opportunities.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“NSW is working towards becoming a leader in green energy and we are building a planning system that supports that.
“The NSW Government has integrated hydrogen infrastructure into the NSW planning framework to assist applicants with developments and the planning pathways available.
“This will allow potential Japanese investors to have greater certainty and recognises the importance of hydrogen as a high-growth industry for NSW.”
Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee Vice-President Bob Seidler said:
“I want to thank Ministers Chanthivong, Sharpe and Scully for meeting with Japanese business leaders today in a clear message that the NSW Government is committed to advancing renewable energy in partnership with Australia’s largest energy trade and investment partner.
“We look forward to working together and facilitating partnerships between NSW and Japanese business as our two countries transition to net zero and develop and secure a clean energy future.”
Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sydney President Keigo Gohda said:
“There is a history of developing a strong relationship between NSW and Japan, particularly in the energy sector.
“We are now at the stage where we not only share our beliefs for the future, but also persistently tackle the time-consuming, tricky and concrete challenges to turn them into reality.
“We hope that the NSW Government will also take a keen interest in these real issues we’re facing, and that today was the start of concrete and realistic discussions on cooperation.”