About the strategy refresh
Western Australia’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy is being refreshed in 2023 by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI).
The renewable hydrogen industry is a key diversification and decarbonisation opportunity for Western Australia, as noted in the recently released Future State: Diversifying WA
The Strategy Refresh considers the objectives of decarbonisation and diversification, and whether broader market measures are required and new pillars to reflect the dynamic development of the industry. The strategy refresh could also consider new aspirational goals for 2030.
Consultation paper
A consultation paper has now been released for feedback and will be open for four weeks. Stakeholder input is critical to maximising the benefits to WA and supporting the long-term growth of the renewable hydrogen industry.
Members of the community and industry are invited to make a submission on the consultation paper by sending their feedback to hydrogen@jtsi.wa.gov.au or online before COB on Monday 16 October.
Online feedback
Note: this form cannot be saved, however you will be emailed a copy of your response. Should you need to provide additional information after submitting this form, simply submit another new form.
There are 8 questions, and we would like you to provide contact details for us to contact you should we need to obtain any clarification.
Western Australia’s Renewable Hydrogen Opportunity
Show moreThe market for hydrogen
Over the next decade, the global renewable hydrogen economy is predicted to grow rapidly to support decarbonisation. Early market development is critical for countries to benefit from global investment, which would support the development of a domestic and international industry.
Western Australia’s comparative advantages
Western Australia has significant comparative advantages in producing, exporting and using renewable hydrogen. The State’s geography, industry and skilled labour force place it at the forefront of the emerging global renewable hydrogen industry.
Western Australia’s opportunity
The State of the Hydrogen Report stated that Australia has around 40% of all announced global hydrogen projects, with the Australian pipeline valued from $230 billion to $300 billion16. Western Australia is well positioned to capture some of this market.
Hydrogen progress in Western Australia
Show moreA first mover
In 2019, Western Australia became the first state in Australia to publish a renewable hydrogen strategy. In this document it outlined four strategic focus areas for the hydrogen industry – export, remote application, hydrogen blending in natural gas networks and transport –each with goals for 2022 and 2030. Subsequent policy documents include the Roadmap, Strategy Update, Mission Update and the Investment Prospectus. The lead agency in delivering Western Australia’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy is the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation (JTSI).
Progress-oriented
The 2019 Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy originally set goals for 2022 and 2040. The 2021 update of the Strategy moved forward the timeline on long-term goals to 2030 as the industry developed more rapidly than initially anticipated. Each of the 2022 goals were achieved with government facilitation and/or funding within the required timeframe.
The need for a strategy refresh
Show moreThe Western Australian Government announced its intention to deliver a refreshed Renewable Hydrogen Strategy in the December 2022 Mission Update. Western Australia has made considerable progress in the hydrogen market since the release of the Strategy.
Changing international context
The international hydrogen market is rapidly developing, indicating now is the right time for the Western Australian Government to refresh the Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.
Changing national context
A Hydrogen Strategy has been released at the federal level, and from every state and territory (except the Australian Capital Territory) since 2019. The Australian Government recently announced its intention to refresh the National Strategy and has made several significant steps forward in renewable hydrogen policy in recent months.
State context
Multiple economic, social, and environmental factors have influenced Western Australia’s development since 2019. The industry and supply chain disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, State commitment to net-zero by 2050 and skilled labour shortages are some of the influences that are impacting the economy. The role of renewable hydrogen has been referenced by several policies released since 2019, including the Future State Strategy, the Western Australian Climate Policy and the Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategies
(currently in development).
Changing technology feasibility and viability
In addition to numerous strategic and policy developments at a local and international level, the knowledge relating to hydrogen production and application technologies is evolving rapidly.
The Strategy Refresh framework
Show moreThe renewable hydrogen industry is a nascent industry in Western Australia and therefore, requires facilitation from the Government to fully realise the State’s renewable hydrogen opportunity. This section details the role for government in the hydrogen industry, and presents the framework used to structure the strategy refresh.
The role for government in the hydrogen industry
The Western Australian Government is seeking to build a renewable hydrogen industry that assists in diversifying and decarbonising the economy, while providing jobs and income for Western Australians.
The strategy refresh framework
The Western Australian Government has developed a framework to guide the refresh of the strategy.
Vision and mission
The overarching vision and mission for the renewable hydrogen industry in Western Australia describes the highest-level ambition for the State. The vision is unchanged from the current Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, and the mission is updated to reflect the increasing focus on the decarbonisation of state activities.
Strategic focus areas
The 2019 Strategy update contains four strategic focus areas – export, remote applications, transport and hydrogen blending in the gas network - each with specific goals for 2022 and 2030. The consultation paper proposes changes to these strategic focus areas, described as pillars and enablers.
Activities and actions
Activities and actions are groups or themes of proposed government actions that underpin the achievement of the Strategy.
The transition to pillars
The Western Australian Government is developing a refreshed strategy to encompass changes over the last four years. The refresh seeks to build on the significant progress already made in the industry and will be continuing support outlined under the existing Strategy.
Vision and Strategic Focus Areas
Show moreThe Western Australian Government is committed to use the strategy refresh framework to consider aspirational goals for 2030.
Vision and mission
The Western Australian Government expects the vision and mission statement used in the original 2019 Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, and its 2021 update, to remain in the refreshed strategy.
Pillars and enablers
High level pillars and enablers are proposed for inclusion in the Renewable Hydrogen Strategy. These pillars and enablers are high-level ‘buckets’ for government action and align with the State’s vision to become a significant producer, exporter and user of renewable hydrogen.
Production
Western Australia can become a major producer of renewable hydrogen, and a premier destination for hydrogen investment.
Use
Western Australia adopts a targeted approach to using renewable hydrogen to decarbonise the State, which maximises resource efficiency.
Export
Western Australia is well-placed to capture a significant share of the global export market for renewable hydrogen, and green commodities made using renewable hydrogen.
Enabling development
Western Australia’s renewable hydrogen industry can be a responsible, strategic and socially conscious contributor to long-term growth. The industry should be well understood by, and provide benefits for, local communities.
About the WA Renewable Hydrogen Strategy
Show moreIn 2019, WA was one of the first jurisdictions globally to publish a Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, it contained four strategic focus areas for the industry—export, remote application, hydrogen blending in natural gas networks and transport.
Noting success has been achieved towards these goals, since 2019 there have been changes in the international environment including significant global policy shifts in the hydrogen and renewables industries.
