Hydrogen
Accelerating global decarbonisation
The 'hydrogen opportunity' is gaining significant attention across the world, as a means to accelerate the global transition to a low-emissions energy future. This includes the Australian market, where the hydrogen industry is expected to contribute at least $11 billion to the domestic economy and generate around 7,600 jobs by 2050.
How we can help
We are leaders in new energy projects. Our team has advised clients on first-to-market energy and infrastructure development projects across all technologies – from the beginning of the renewables boom, to pumped hydro, offshore wind, large-scale battery storage and waste-to-energy projects. We are currently bringing this expertise to bear in assisting clients with their investments in new hydrogen, ammonia, e-fuel and sustainable aviation fuel projects.
Our current roles include work on project structuring (eg joint ventures, risk allocation between co-dependent projects and interface management), regulatory approvals, construction and development, finance (including government and concessional funding), intellectual property (IP) rights and protection, purchasing and export arrangements, storage and transport, industry and competitor collaboration – among other considerations. This ensures we are equipped to support our clients to successfully deliver their proposed projects.
Deep local expertise backed by global insights
Our hydrogen expertise is broadened further by our global reach, via our alliance with Linklaters – considered a global leader in renewable energy, and currently engaged in world-leading hydrogen projects.
The hydrogen project lifecycle
- Grid electricity
- Heating
- Transport
- Industry feedstock
- Export
- Pre-FEED and FEED studies
- Demonstration scale projects
- IP strategy
- ARENA, CEFC, NAIF, NRFC and DCCEEW
- State government funding
- Renewables project financing
- Access to infrastructure
- Water rights
- Negotiating tenure
- Native title
- Planning approvals
- EPC O&M, supply and BOP agreements
- Power supply
- M&A opportunities
- Offtake agreements
- Storage and transport
- Export considerations
- Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive
What we do
We help our clients with such key aspects as:
- project lifecycle planning;
- regulatory reform;
- project structuring and tax advice;
- project finance;
- development of new technologies, including IP and partnering for commercialisation;
- site selection, tenure and native title;
- environmental impact assessments, planning and regulatory approvals;
- M&A;
- risk, compliance, licensing and reporting; and
- work, health and safety.
Our latest thinking on hydrogen
Experience
APA Group
Advising on its participation in the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
Advising on the Yuri Renewable Hydrogen Facility in Western Australia, which will be Australia’s first utility-scale green hydrogen project – involving a 10-megawatt electrolyser, an 18-megawatt solar farm and an 8-megawatt battery energy storage system – and is being developed by Engie and Mitsu & Co.
Advising on ARENA's funding of the development and commercialisation of high-efficiency (multicrystalline) silicon solar cell technology (hydrogenation 1-A060) by the University of New South Wales, as part of ARENA's Advancing Renewables Program.
Glencore
Advising on initial approvals for the Surat Hydrogen Project (then the Wandoan Ammonia Project) in Queensland, including on the coordinated project environmental impact assessment process, options for use of mining or petroleum licences, options for planning approvals under the Planning Act 2016 (Qld), and advising on regulatory requirements related to the transfer of waste and water licensing.
Solar methanol e-fuels project
Advising a concentrated thermal solar developer on a solar thermal to methanol project that will use hydrogen derivatives to produce e-fuels for use in the shipping and aviation industry.
A potential investor
Advising on a potential joint venture for the Arrowsmith hydrogen project in Western Australia with Infinite Blue Energy.
Major steel manufacturer
Advising on a joint venture with a global resources company to use hydrogen to produce low-emissions steel.
LAVO
Advised hydrogen energy storage solutions provider LAVO in relation to protecting its world-first technology, LAVO Hydrogen Energy Storage System (HESS), with a comprehensive IP strategy to position and protect LAVO as a market leader.
Australian hydrogen participant
Advising in relation to potential collaboration agreements to team with other parties, developing and demonstrating hydrogen supply chain technology.
Renewable energy developer
Advising on a renewable project being developed in Tasmania, where the client is looking to add a hydrogen facility on site.
Energy company
Advising on environment, planning and land transactions in relation to the development of a hydrogen facility in Queensland.
Hydrogen project finance
Advised start-ups in relation to electrolytic (solar and wind derived) hydrogen manufacturing and exporting. We have also advised bioenergy start-ups in relation to dimethyl ether and ammonia manufacturing and exporting.