Qld follows SA with focused hydrogen laws

Queensland Parliament has passed legislation that will enable renewable hydrogen and gases to be piped safely across Queensland and exported to global trade partners, joining South Australia in passing specialist legislation supporting the hydrogen economy.

Last month South Australia’s Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Bill 2023 for an Act was passed which facilitates and regulates the generation of hydrogen and renewable energy in certain areas of the stste.

Now Queensland’s Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 passed Parliament, unlocking what the government estimated as 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 changes to legislation will better safeguard the state’s natural environment.

In Queensland 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 (pictured).

The Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni: “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.

“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 percent 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.”

Further reading:
ARENA backs Gladstone renewable hydrogen project
Queensland announces progress on two of 50 planned hydrogen projects

Picture: Stanwell Corporation