Japanese company opens green hydrogen plant in Queensland

The Queensland Government has announced that Japanese energy company ENEOS has officially opened its green hydrogen demonstration plant at its Bulwer Island site.

“Work by companies such as ENEOS is vital as we power towards achieving zero net emissions by 2050 — and delivering the economic opportunities that go with it,” said Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles. “The Bulwer Island facility will have capacity to produce up to 20 kg of green hydrogen a day, creating 30 new specialist jobs in the process.

“This project is set to unlock significant benefits for Queensland’s economy by generating hydrogen jobs of the future and tapping into new export markets.”

ENEOS will produce the green hydrogen using its patented electrolysis technology (Direct MCH), powered from renewable energy generated by an onsite 250 kW solar system. The hydrogen will be produced in the form of methylcyclohexane (MCH), so it can be stored and transported as a liquid before being refined back to hydrogen in Japan.

It is the first project supported by the Japanese Government’s $24 billion Green Innovation Fund, which aims to help Japan achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The company is investigating other sites in Queensland for future stages of its development.

“Japanese companies have a long history of investment in Queensland, and they continue choosing to invest in Queensland because of our rich renewable resources, well-established infrastructure and proactive policy,” said Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick. “We look forward to maximising the potential of hydrogen by continuing to work with ENEOS and other international companies seeking to base their operations here.”

ENEOS is also building a 204 MW solar farm at Edenvale in the Western Downs, supporting 400 jobs in regional Queensland during construction.

ENEOS Executive Vice President Tomohide Miyata said the company was pleased to progress the green hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Queensland. He also said this technology will be a game changer in developing a hydrogen supply chain.