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The Western Australian government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (Jogmec), expanding cooperation to include new and renewable energies.

New and renewable energies covered by the MoU include hydrogen, methanation, carbon capture and storage (CCS), carbon dioxide capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), ammonia, and decarbonisation and low emission technologies.

“The MoU signed with Jogmec today builds on a MoU signed in 2020 to promote the stable supply of mineral resources to Japan, and investment from Japan into Western Australia,” said Energy Minister Bill Johnston.

“Through strengthening relationships with international partners like Jogmec, the Western Australian government is helping to ensure the state embraces opportunities that emerge as economies around the world decarbonise.”

Japan is Western Australia’s second-largest trading partner, with A$33-billion of goods traded in 2021-22. Western Australia’s biggest export to Japan in 2021-22 was petroleum, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), which rose by 97% to A$16.5-billion.

In 2021-22, Japan was Western Australia’s second largest export market for iron-ore, nickel ore and canola seeds, and third largest market for copper ore.

“The Western Australian government has invested around A$170-million to help ensure Western Australia reaches its potential and becomes a global exporter of renewable hydrogen,” said Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

“International collaboration is essential to establishing markets for Western Australia-made renewable hydrogen and securing investment in local projects.”