Queensland Withdraws Support Cuts 90 Green Hydrogen Jobs

Green hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a key solution for decarbonizing heavy industries such as steel and chemicals manufacturing, offering a zero-emissions alternative powered by renewable energy. However, Australia’s ambitious green hydrogen industry faces significant challenges, as evidenced by recent setbacks including the Queensland government's withdrawal of support for the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub and job cuts by Fortescue in hydrogen projects. Despite Australia's strong potential due to abundant renewable resources, the country currently produces only small volumes of green hydrogen, far below the scale required for major industrial use. Globally, hydrogen demand is rising rapidly, with production reaching 94 million tonnes in 2021 and expected to grow to 115 million tonnes by 2030, highlighting hydrogen’s role in achieving net-zero emissions targets. Advances such as the University of Johannesburg's new process converting sugarcane waste into green hydrogen show promise for more efficient and cleaner hydrogen production. These developments underscore both the potential and the complex hurdles in scaling green hydrogen as a clean energy carrier worldwide.