Australia and Germany have agreed to expand their collaboration on energy and climate initiatives through a joint $660 million investment in green hydrogen. 

The agreement aims to bolster renewable hydrogen supply chains, which are crucial to the global energy transition.

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, alongside German State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Anja Hajduk, have signed a declaration in Brisbane outlining the terms of the funding. 

The initiative, supported by both governments, will form part of Germany’s H2Global auction system, which is designed to secure hydrogen supply for European buyers.

The agreement is also meant to address the need for energy security in light of recent disruptions, such as those caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Renewable hydrogen is key to Australia’s 21st-century export prosperity. The world needs it. We can make it,” Bowen says.

He said that Australia’s natural resources of wind and solar energy position the country to become a “renewable energy superpower”. 

The deal is expected to create new opportunities for Australian producers, providing access to major European markets such as Germany. 

The establishment of a joint H2Global window for Australian producers will contribute to the global decarbonisation efforts by enabling the export of hydrogen-embodied products.

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said the agreement is a “pathway to tangible action that strengthens our economies and supports the global transition to net zero”. 

This partnership builds on prior studies, such as the HySupply chain study, which confirmed the economic feasibility of hydrogen trade between Australia and Germany. 

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