The UK’s secretary for international trade reported increased cooperation with Australian companies as the two countries work to increase the flow of green hydrogen.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan is in Australia for a four-day visit where she will meet the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and business as the two nations work to ratify a free trade agreement.
“Green hydrogen is a very important area in the clean energy revolution,” said the AAP secretary.
“I am very excited to see some of these UK companies developing this experience working together with Australian companies.”
Under the free trade agreement, the two nations have pledged to work together to develop and accelerate cost-effective low- and zero-emission technologies, as well as to support clean and renewable energy sources and infrastructures. .
“Part of the FTA’s mission in the environmental chapter was to find new avenues for the market and to help our two countries tackle the challenge of climate change and the race to zero from here. 2050, ”Trevelyan said.
Australia is expected to pass FTA legislation through parliament later this year, while the Secretary of International Trade will present the bill to the UK parliament, hoping it will go into effect. in effect early next year.
While the UK has been somewhat isolated from the energy security crisis affecting European countries that are heavily dependent on Russian gas, the surge in international prices has led Downing Street to seek to strengthen gas supplies. renewable energies.
“The rise in prices has affected UK citizens, businesses and consumers,” said Trevelyan.
“One of the ways to become more resilient is to move to these clean, renewable energy solutions, from wind to solar to the new nuclear that the UK is leading the way.”
The move will also offer the opportunity for Australian businesses and markets to increase their investments in renewable energy, the secretary said.
“We want to see both experienced UK companies and Australian companies working together to make sure we can see the mutual benefits of the technology we need to bring forward,” he said.
“Australia has a great challenge to get away from its coal-fired power plants.
“We look forward to working with them to help develop these clean, renewable energy options.”
The secretary is expected to have dinner with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday and will meet with businesses and ministers in Sydney to discuss clean energy innovation and increase women’s economic participation.
Spatial and defense relations were also at the center of the Secretary’s visit.