Countrywide Hydrogen, an Australian renewable hydrogen project developer, has entered into a partnership agreement with DGA Energy Solutions Australia to jointly conduct and fund studies for the Portland Green Hydrogen Project.
The collaboration solidifies the commitment of both entities to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study for the two-stage hydrogen production project in Portland, Victoria, building upon Countrywide’s prior groundwork and involving a 10MW electrolyser in the first stage intended for domestic supply.
With a shared goal of decarbonising the Australian road transport industry, the collaboration envisions a mega-scale green hydrogen project in the second stage, targeting exports to Japan and Korea, leveraging DGA and Mitsubishi’s financial and commercial expertise in renewable energy and hydrogen-related businesses.
The green hydrogen production for the second stage will rely on locally sourced renewable energy from onshore and offshore wind farms, potentially supplemented by solar energy.
This strategic alignment aims to position the project globally and drive innovation in sustainable energy, contributing to the growth of the green hydrogen sector both domestically and internationally.
Geoff Drucker, managing director of Countrywide, highlighted the collaboration’s significance, emphasizing Countrywide Hydrogen’s proficiency in project development and delivery.
“This collaboration with DGA endorses Countrywide Hydrogen’s strategy of hydrogen production for the decarbonisation of the domestic transport and mobility sector to be followed by large scale hydrogen export production when the markets are in place. In terms of the latter, the power of DGA’s parent, Mitsubishi Corporation, will be instrumental in securing offtakes in Japan and Korea for Stage 2 delivery,” he said.
The feasibility study represents a crucial step toward realizing the ambitious Portland Green Hydrogen Project, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing the renewable energy landscape.
DGA’s parent company, Mitsubishi Corporation, plays a vital role in securing offtakes in Japan and Korea for the project’s second stage, aligning with Mitsubishi’s Roadmap to a Carbon Neutral Society introduced in 2021, which outlines ambitious greenhouse-gas emissions reduction targets.
DGA Energy Solutions Australia’s managing director Kentaro Matsumura said Australia has a crucial role in addressing demands in North Asia and Japan, highlighting the intention to apply for funding under the Victorian Government’s Portland Diversification Fund.
“The end goal for DGA is to export hydrogen from Australia to Japan, but it is important to note we believe it is critical to start with local production for local consumption, focusing on the Australian domestic market initially,” Matsumura said.
The $7.5 million program aims to facilitate economic diversification in the Glenelg Shire, attracting new investments and supporting businesses for enhanced productivity and competitiveness.
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