Origin Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Townsville in Queensland to collaborate on the potential expansion of the port, developing a liquefaction facility, new berth and associated infrastructure for its liquid hydrogen export project, the company said on April 14. 

Origin is collaborating with Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) on a 300-MW export project that would produce 36,500 metric tons/year of green liquid hydrogen using renewable energy and sustainable water. First exports are envisaged in the mid-2020s. 

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“The three parties will now focus on work required to accommodate KHI’s semi-commercial scale liquid hydrogen carriers, currently under development, future project expansion opportunities, and potential for sharing of common infrastructure with other Port of Townsville users,” Origin said. 

Origin general manager future fuels, Felicity Underhill, said that there would be significant export demand for green hydrogen in Asia in the 2030s and even sooner in Japan in the mid-2020s. Proximity to these markets and abundance of clean renewable resources puts Australia in “pole position to be a global leader in hydrogen," she said.

“This is one of the most advanced commercial scale green liquid hydrogen projects in the world, and we and our partners are looking forward to commencing front end engineering and design this calendar year,” Underhill said.