Woodside, Keppel Data Centres (as Trustee of City Energy Trust), Osaka Gas Singapore and City-OG Gas Energy Services  have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to study the feasibility of a long-term, stable supply chain of sustainable Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) from Western Australia to Singapore and potentially Japan. This new agreement follows the announcement of the proposed H2Perth Hydrogen facility in Kwinana where Woodside will seek to establish a large-scale LH2 and Ammonia export hub. The study is expected to continue until mid 2022, at which juncture the parties will decide on the next phase of their collaboration.

Hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide during combustion and is considered a promising nextgeneration, low-carbon fuel that can be used in a range of applications including power generation, town gas and as an industrial feedstock. Hydrogen can be liquefied by cooling it to below negative 253 degrees Celsius, and LH2 occupies significantly less volume than in its gaseous state so it can be stored and transported more easily.

The Parties will work collaboratively to explore both the technical and commercial aspects of developing an LH2 supply chain between Western Australia and Singapore, and potentially Japan, through collaboration using their respective expertise and knowledge.

This is an exciting development which supports the Singapore Green Plan, which charts ambitious and concrete targets over the next 10 years, strengthening Singapore’s commitments under the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, and positioning Singapore to achieve its long-term net zero emissions aspirations as soon as viable.

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said the MOU was aligned with Woodside’s strategy to develop a diversified and scalable portfolio of new energy products to help reduce customers’ emissions.

“It is important for us to work collaboratively with potential customers and end users such as Keppel Data Centres, Osaka Gas Singapore, City Energy and City-OG Gas Energy Services to collaboratively build out a sustainable hydrogen supply chain from our proposed H2Perth Project. “H2Perth is ideally located in Western Australia for shipping to Singapore and Japan and the project site is close to existing gas, power, water and port infrastructure, as well as a skilled local residential workforce,” she said.

Mr Wong Wai Meng, CEO of Keppel Data Centres, said: “This MOU will explore the feasibility of harnessing LH2 from Australia to power our data centres in Singapore, with potential applications for other Keppel business units in future. This collaboration in the upstream LH2 supply chain complements the existing MOUs we have entered with various partners to explore the mid-todownstream segments, including transportation, storage and regasification.” 

“In line with Keppel’s Vision 2030 and carbon emission reduction targets, we are committed to the decarbonisation of data centre operations through our research efforts in LNG and hydrogen for power generation, floating data centres, and technologies for carbon capture, utilisation and sequestration.”

For piped town gas provider, City Energy, which is the national producer and retailer of town gas in Singapore, this collaboration may significantly support its carbon reduction effort in piped town gas production or combustion.

Mr Perry Ong, Chief Executive Officer of City Energy and Chairman of City-OG Gas Energy Services, said: “As the nation’s sole piped town gas provider for more than 870,000 homes and businesses, decarbonising town gas is central to City Energy’s business strategy. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in this MOU to explore a greener future for our nation, in particular in studying the feasibility of importing green hydrogen for applications in town gas manufacturing processes to further lower carbon emissions.”

“Our team at City-OG is pleased to support the increasing needs of its natural gas customers to reduce carbon emissions and is strongly committed to contributing to a low-carbon planet which is good for all. With its close relationships with City Energy and Daigas Group, of which Osaka Gas is an affiliate, City-OG is well positioned to share its expertise in helping its customers lower their carbon emissions.”

Mr Motoyuki Hirabayashi, President & CEO of Osaka Gas Singapore, said: "We have announced our Carbon Neutral Vision to be carbon neutral by 2050. Hydrogen will play a significant role in the energy transition and the development of a liquefied hydrogen supply chain is vital.

“We would like to contribute to the success of the project by utilising our experience and know-how accumulated through our LNG value chain business, including aggregation of LNG demand. We are excited to participate in this valuable project led by Keppel with Woodside Energy, and we look forward to our collaboration to contribute and to build a sustainable hydrogen supply chain between Singapore and Australia.” 

KeyFacts Energy: Woodside Australia country profile