Tasmania - The Green Hydrogen Powerhouse?

By the year 2030, Tasmania is set to become a significant player in the green hydrogen sector according to a study conducted by the Tasmanian Government and the Rotterdam Port Authority. The study of which shows that importing green hydrogen from Tasmania, has great potential.

Tasmania's competitive conditions make it conducive to the production, domestic use and export of green hydrogen. Located off the southeast coast of Australia, Tasmania can produce volumes of electricity from wind, a bit of solar, and balancing with hydroelectric power, which as a result leads to one of the lowest costs for the production of green hydrogen in the world.

The Tasmanian government and the Port of Rotterdam signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2021 to assess the feasibility of exporting green hydrogen to Rotterdam. Since then officials from the Tasmanian government and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have been working together intensely to study the potential supply chain to export green hydrogen to Rotterdam from Tasmania. 

As part of the proposal Tasmania's hydrogen would be exported to the Port of Rotterdam, the most prominent energy importer in Europe. Tasmanian hydrogen can become part of the supply mix and assist to boost the new green hydrogen economy in the Netherlands and north western Europe. The deal would benefit companies such as ReNu Energy, which is advancing multiple green hydrogen projects in Tasmania; supported by HESTA – one of the largest dated funds within the sector. The cost of overseas transportation is cancelled out by the relatively low cost of producing green hydrogen in Tasmania of which location provides an abundance of wind and hydroelectric power. 

As Europe steps up its effort to distance itself entirely from its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, it is predicted the region will need up to 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. This transition period presents a crucial opportunity for Australian energy companies to enter the European and the wider global market.