A new study has found South Australia’s renewable energy resources will give the state a competitive edge in the race to export clean hydrogen to Europe through the Port of Rotterdam.
The pre-feasibility study shows South Australian hydrogen is expected to be competitive on the future hydrogen market in Rotterdam and could supply up to 10 per cent of Rotterdam’s hydrogen requirements in 2050. Rotterdam’s hydrogen demand is forecast to reach 18 million tonnes per annum by 2050.
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Earlier this year, the South Australian Government and the Port of Rotterdam Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the feasibility of exporting clean hydrogen made in SA to Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port.
Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the pre-feasibility study informed discussions between key officials from the South Australian and Netherlands Governments and the Port of Rotterdam regarding South Australia’s potential to export green and blue hydrogen to the Port.
“This is an exciting time for energy exports, and an exciting time for South Australia as we begin to realise the huge potential hydrogen export has for our local economy and local jobs,” Minister van Holst Pellekaan said.
“With four hydrogen projects already under development and another seven more shortlisted for land at Port Bonython, South Australia is on track to become a significant hydrogen producer and exporter, starting as early as 2025-2026.
“We have been working with the Port of Rotterdam on a pre-feasibility study which shows our state could supply a significant share of hydrogen that Rotterdam expects to import by 2050.
“A huge new global market is developing as much of the world shifts towards renewable energy for power and to reduce carbon emissions by 2050, and South Australia is leading the way using its abundance of wind and solar to produce and export low cost energy, including clean, green hydrogen exports.
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“Hydrogen Export Modelling Tools from both South Australia and the Port of Rotterdam align favourably, strengthening confidence in our state’s export potential.
“Our partner, the Port of Rotterdam has global experience in port governance, which we will utilise as we progress development of Port Bonython in readiness for hydrogen export.”