The Queensland government has passed legislation that’s expected to drive hydrogen industry development.
Earlier this week, the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 passed in Queensland Parliament, unlocking an estimated 10,000 jobs and $33 billion in economic activity by 2040.
As well as ensuring growth in new industry and an uplift in Queensland’s economy, the government says the changes to legislation will better safeguard the state’s natural environment.
“As the next frontier in Queensland’s energy industry, green hydrogen offers the greatest jobs, climate and export opportunity in a generation, and new laws will go a long way to helping our nation reach net zero by 2050,” says Queensland Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni.
“Not only will green hydrogen be a game changer for the transport, heavy haulage, shipping, and aviation industries, which currently account for more than 20% of Australia’s emissions, but it will also unlock a pipeline of new jobs in new industry.
“We’re delivering new regulations to make bottling Queensland’s sun, wind and water to help our international trading partners reach their net zero emissions commitments easier, while maintaining safety for everyone involved.”
Already, more than 50 hydrogen projects are underway across the state, including the Stanwell Corporation-led CQ-H2: Central Queensland Hydrogen Project in Gladstone, set to deliver $17.2 billion in hydrogen exports over 30 years.
