Fortescue partners Japanese firms on green hydrogen

Australian iron ore producer Fortescue Metals is planning to work with Japanese energy firm Iwatani and engineering firm Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) to study a green hydrogen project, aiming for future exports to Japan.

Fortescue has signed an initial agreement with Iwatani and KHI to consider developing together a supply chain of liquefied hydrogen that is produced from renewable energy sources in Australia. The firms plan to produce hydrogen from solar and wind power sources, liquefy this green hydrogen and then export it to Japan using liquid hydrogen carriers.

Fortescue is separately considering building a 250MW green hydrogen plant at Bell Bay in Tasmania with the capacity to produce 250,000 t/yr of green ammonia, powered by renewable energy. The project will be an important step towards positioning Australia at the forefront of a bulk export market for green hydrogen, the company said.

Australia is becoming a popular destination for Japanese firms to invest in the green hydrogen sector. The two countries are working together on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advancing hydrogen co-operation to support national and global transitions to a resilient, low-emissions economy.

Iwatani last month started a feasibility study on green hydrogen production in Australia with Queensland state-controlled power utility Stanwell, also aiming to export the liquefied hydrogen to Japan. Iwatani is the only liquefied hydrogen supplier in Japan, currently producing 120mn m³/yr. The company has a 70pc share of the domestic compressed hydrogen market.

KHI is also focusing on hydrogen in the firm's energy and environmental solutions sector, having decided to withdraw from its nuclear power-related business operations.

By Motoko Hasegawa