Australia will begin exporting clean hydrogen to Japan in the first round of its $150 million Australian Clean Hydrogen Trade Program (ACHTP).
The program is aimed at attracting overseas investment into hydrogen supply chains originating in Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the program would help deliver on Australia’s commitment to reducing emissions by working with other countries to get the cost of clean energy down.
“It is critical that we work closely with our international partners such as Japan to deliver on Australia’s low emissions objectives.
“Clean hydrogen is central to both Australia’s and Japan’s plans to achieve net zero emissions while growing our economies and jobs.”
In a joint statement with Angus Taylor, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, the Prime Minister said clean hydrogen could directly support 16,000 jobs by 2050, plus an additional 13,000 jobs from the construction of related renewable energy infrastructure.
Taylor said Australia is taking action to create new economic and employment opportunities on the pathway to net-zero emissions.
“Establishing clean hydrogen supply chains will facilitate investment into Australia and will create jobs for Australians, many in our regional areas.”