The WA Government has signed a new MOU with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), expanding cooperation to new and renewable energies.
Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan signed the MOU at the Australian Hydrogen Conference (West), which was held in Perth from 6-7 December.
The MOU was signed by the Director General of Western Australia’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Ms Rebecca Brown and the Chairman of JOGMEC, Mr Tetsuhiro Hosono.
Focusing on new and renewable energies, the MOU adds to the State’s cooperation with JOGMEC, who signed an MOU with the WA Government in 2020 that aimed to strengthen collaboration in metal and mineral resources.
New and renewable energies covered by the MOU include hydrogen, methanation, carbon capture and storage (CCS), carbon dioxide capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), ammonia, and decarbonisation and low emission technologies.
Japan is WA’s second largest trading partner, with $33 billion of goods traded in 2021-22.
WA’s biggest export to Japan in 2021-22 was petroleum (including LNG), which rose by 97 per cent to $16.5 billion.
In 2021-22, Japan was WA’s second largest export market for iron ore, nickel ore and canola seeds, and third largest market for copper ore.
State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook said: “The WA Government is committed to diversifying the State’s economy, and creating the jobs of the future for Western Australians.
“Focusing on new and renewable energies, the new MOU with JOGMEC shows the doors that will potentially open for Western Australia as we continue to diversify and transition to net zero emissions by 2050.”
Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan said: “The WA Government has invested around $170 million to help ensure Western Australia reaches its potential and becomes a global exporter of renewable hydrogen.
“International collaboration is essential to establishing markets for WA-made renewable hydrogen and securing investment in local projects.”
Energy Minister Bill Johnston said: “The MOU signed with JOGMEC today builds on a MOU signed in 2020 to promote the stable supply of mineral resources to Japan, and investment from Japan into WA.
“Through strengthening relationships with international partners like JOGMEC, the WA Government is helping to ensure the State embraces opportunities that emerge as economies around the world decarbonise.”
