Australia, Taiwan to cooperate on hydrogen energy development
Both countries will explore hydrogen opportunities, strengthening their existing relationship in the energy sector.
Australia and Taiwan have discussed development opportunities of low emission hydrogen energy technology between the two countries, H2 Bulletin reports.
Australian Office Taipei has recently hosted the Taiwan-Australia Hydrogen Trade and Investment Dialogue in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). The aim was to discuss development opportunities of low emission hydrogen energy technology between Taiwan and Australia.
Australian Trade and Investment Minister and Taiwan Minister for Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) also participated in the event. Other domestic and international research institutions and industrial sectors also shared their experience and insights on hydrogen energy development.
‘Taiwan-Australia Hydrogen Trade and Investment Dialogue’ and ‘Joint Energy and Minerals, Trade, and Investment Cooperation (Jemtic) Consultations’ have focused on exploring opportunities for bilateral energy cooperation and investment.
Taiwan will also prioritise importing blue and green hydrogen to build complementary and key infrastructures.
Both countries have a close trade relationship in the energy and resources sectors, with Taiwan imports around 27% of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and 70% of coal from Australia. In 2019, Australia’s Macquarie Group and Taiwan’s Swancor Renewable Energy installed the first 128 MW offshore wind farm in Taiwan.
Taiwan has been promoting renewable energy. By June 2021, a total of 6.6 GW solar photovoltaics were installed, which increased by 4.3 times, compared to the capacity in 2016. The country targets 20 GW of solar photovoltaics and 5.6 GW of offshore wind power installation by 2025.
Taiwan has also been working on a carbon reduction path for net-zero emissions and incorporated hydrogen energy in the energy portfolio.
Moea in Taiwan established the Hydrogen Energy Promotion Alliance to integrate the public and private sectors’ resources and facilitate the applications and development of hydrogen energy technology. Taiwan plans to use hydrogen energy primarily in power generation, and industrial applications are in short to medium terms.
