A CONSORTIUM of South Korean companies has signed a heads of agreement to develop a project to export renewable hydrogen and green ammonia from Queensland to South Korea.
The Han-Ho H2 Consortium consists of Australia-based Ark Energy and its parent company Korea Zinc, as well as South Korean conglomerates Hanwha Impact and SK Gas.
The proposed project will produce up to 1.8 million tonnes per year of green ammonia and will support the development of up to 4.5-gigawatts at Ark Energy’s Collinsville Green Energy Hub.
The project’s development during feasibility stage will be supported by the Queensland Government investing $8.5 million for the Abbot Point Activation Initiative under our Queensland and Energy and Jobs Plan hydrogen hubs program.
A media statement from the Queensland government said the investment would advance the master planning, development and infrastructure arrangements that are needed for Abbot Point to become a hydrogen export super hub including planning for the water and power supplies needed to produce hydrogen at scale in North Queensland.
“Abbot Point presents a unique opportunity on government-owned land, with existing deep water, port infrastructure and proximity to one of Australia’s best renewable energy zones making it a prime location for renewable hydrogen and ammonia developments in North Queensland,” the state government said.
“Townsville will become a critical minerals and hydrogen manufacturing powerhouse with Korea Zinc’s Sun Metals green industrial precinct and Ark Energy’s SunHQ Hydrogen Hub supporting the expansion of critical minerals supply chains and the domestic hydrogen industry.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said North Queensland has some of the best solar and wind resources in the world located near Queensland’s largest dam.
“The Collinsville Green Energy Hub provides more good job opportunities in the Bowen Basin as we create more industries in Queensland,” she said.
“Working in collaboration with the Han-Ho H2 Consortium, we will transform the state into a renewable energy powerhouse, delivering clean, reliable and affordable power for generations and providing good, secure jobs for the future.
“Our ongoing partnership with the Korea Zinc group will support Townsville to become a world leader in critical minerals and hydrogen manufacturing including through the SunHQ Hydrogen Hub.”
Queensland resources minister Scott Stewart said Townsville and North Queensland are perfectly placed to be at the forefront of hydrogen, renewable energy and critical mineral developments.
“This agreement builds on the strong relationship Townsville and the region has with Sun Metals already and will mean more good jobs for the future,” he said.
“We have the critical minerals in the ground, the expertise above and the right infrastructure to support the development of both the resources and renewable industries.”
And Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim, on behalf of the consortium, said the ambition of the Han-Ho H2 Consortium is to accelerate the energy transition by building new green growth engines for both Australia and Korea.
“We believe North Queensland has the potential to become a world class producer and exporter of green hydrogen,” he said.
“We are committed to working closely with our key stakeholders to unlock and maximise this potential and deliver prosperity to the regional communities in which we operate.”
