Origin Energy today (18th March) said it has signed a deal with one of Korea’s largest steelmakers, POSCO, to cooperate on producing and supplying green hydrogen to Korea.

The iron and steel sector accounts directly for 2.6 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, and around 8% of global final energy demand1, meaning greening this industry is essential for the energy transition.

The complex nature of steel production makes green hydrogen the most fitting solution for decarbonising the industry, through the indirect electrification of the iron ore reduction process.

By attaching renewable hydrogen molecules to nitrogen to create ammonia, green hydrogen can be shipped anywhere in the world.

Australian energy company Origin said it is building a programme of green ammonia projects, starting with a feasibility study into an export-scale green ammonia plant in Tasmania’s Bell Bay to meet both export and domestic needs.

“Customers in Asia, such as POSCO, are driving demand for low and zero carbon fuels and from Seoul, they joined our future fuels team in a ceremony to sign off on our exciting new partnership,” Origin Energy said in a statement.

“With our abundance of fantastic solar and wind resources, Australia is in the box seat to export clean energy all over the world.”