Australia and Germany have announced a landmark $660 million agreement to strengthen collaboration on green hydrogen production, signaling a major step towards advancing global clean energy supply chains. The deal, co-funded by both governments, was signed in Brisbane by Chris Bowen, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and Anja Hajduk, German State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It forms part of Germany's H2Global auction mechanism, aimed at securing renewable hydrogen for European markets.

The agreement elevates the countries' existing partnership to a formal Energy and Climate Partnership, focusing on joint work in energy efficiency, net-zero transition, and hydrogen trade. The H2Global funding window will help Australian producers access the European hydrogen market, with Germany positioning itself as a major buyer.

Australia's rich renewable energy resources, including solar and wind, make it an ideal partner for hydrogen production. The collaboration is expected to support both nations' energy security while contributing to global efforts to decarbonize industry and achieve climate neutrality.

Both governments aim to create resilient clean energy supply chains, in response to the global disruptions seen in recent years.

Chris Bowen emphasized that renewable hydrogen could be a cornerstone of Australia's future export economy, while Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, hailed the partnership as a significant step toward their shared climate goals.

Source: minister.dcceew.gov.au