On 26 July, Minister Chris Bowen spoke to the Australian Business Council at the Australian Embassy in Japan, highlighting the longstanding energy relationship between the two countries and the shared goal of net-zero by 2050.
The minister said Australia is proud of its friendship with Japan and is committed to cooperating in advancing clean energy efforts, including hydrogen.
Under the Albanese Government, Australia has set a target of 43% emissions reduction by 2030, with net-zero by 2050.
To achieve this, Minister Bowen acknowledged that Australia cannot solely rely on renewables and will need the development of new energy sources and diversification of supply chains to achieve its emissions targets.
Hydrogen supply chains are an example of this diversification, which Minister Bowen called an “obvious area for increased cooperation”.
Currently, Australia has an estimated AU$300 billion pipeline of proposed hydrogen projects; several of which involve Japan. The most advanced project in this pipeline is being led by Japan Suiso Energy and the J-Power and Sumitomo Corporation Joint Venture. Together they will deliver a commercial scale liquefied hydrogen supply chain between Victoria and Japan.
Minister Bowen said, “Australia’s Hydrogen Headstart scheme and various industrial hydrogen hubs will support new opportunities in emissions reduction.
“Australia is ready to be a serious international player in hydrogen and we need more investment in that area. That’s why we welcome Japanese investment in hydrogen, in projects such as the HESC and other renewables as well,” Minister Bowen said.
He also acknowledged the role carbon capture, utilisation and storage can play in emissions reduction, especially for hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
Earlier this year, Minister for Resources Madeleine King endorsed CCS technology as a major opportunity for emissions reductions.
To read Minister Bowen’s full speech, click here.