Twiggy signs major green energy deal with Qld Government

The Queensland Government and billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest have partnered on a massive green energy deal, which will see the establishment of a major hydrogen-equipment facility in Gladstone.

Gladstone is to become Queensland’s green energy centre, with one of the world’s largest hydrogen-equipment facilities to be built in the central coastal city.

The project is part of a partnership deal between the state government and the billionaire’s Fortescue Future Industries.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Gladstone will become a world-leading hub for the manufacture of electrolysers, which is a vital component to the production of renewable hydrogen.

More than 300 jobs are expected to be created during construction and thousands more in the years following.

“We don’t just want to export our resources, we want to develop a manufacturing industry capable of making the electrolysers in Queensland as well,” Premier Palaszczuk told reporters on Sunday.

“Andrew Forrest and I both see Queensland’s great potential as a renewables exporter and manufacturer of hydrogen equipment,” she said.

In its initial stage, Fortescue will invest $114 million.

Related: Fortescue signs green hydrogen supply deal with Kawasaki and Iwatani

Deputy Premier and minister for development Steven Miles said the deal was a boost for Queensland’s growing credentials as “an emerging superpower in renewable hydrogen”.

He said there were eventual plans to expand both electrolyser manufacturing and other renewable energy components, which is expected to support other regional investment.

“This project will put Gladstone on the map as a world leader in the renewable-hydrogen supply chain,” he said.

Hydrogen electrolysers use power to split hydrogen from water. When produced using renewable power the hydrogen is emission free.

Forrest said the initiative was a critical step in Fortescue’s transition from a pure play iron ore producer to a “green renewables and resources powerhouse”.

Queensland’s other recent industry initiatives include the formation of a consortium proposing to export $4.2 billion in renewable hydrogen from Gladstone, supporting 5000 jobs.

WITH NEWS FROM AAP