The government of Flanders, represented by Flanders’ Minister for Economy, Science and Innovation Hilde Crevits, signed the MoU with Guy Barnett, the Tasmanian minister of Energy and Emissions reduction. This is a strategically important step, to say the least:

Both Flanders and Tasmania make pioneering efforts to strengthen the blue economy. Various Flanders-based companies, for instance, excel in developing sustainable solutions for aquaculture and off-shore wind farms. Keeping the vision on hydrogen of Flanders’ government in mind, they can rely on the knowledge of the region’s research institutions as well as initiatives of Flanders’ hydrogen industry cluster ‘WaterstofNet’. Having the largest hydrogen pipeline in the world and being strategically located in Western Europe with a densely interwoven natural gas and electricity network, Flanders is perfectly poised to become a hydrogen technology leader.

Likewise, Tasmania fosters strong ambitions in making its industry climate neutral. Nowadays, the island is virtually self-sufficient in terms of electricity consumption through renewable energy. But the Australian state wants to go even further. As such, it seeks to become the leading exporter of green hydrogen in Australia by unleashing the potential of renewable energy combined with aquaculture:

The MoU will leverage the development of hydrogen applications, strengthen the trade relations and the execution of joint research. Tasmania and Flanders will also further explore the feasibility for future exports of green hydrogen to ports in Flanders.