WOODSIDE, JSE AND KEPCO EMBARK ON DEVELOPMENT OF LIQUID HYDROGEN SUPPLY CHAIN

Woodside Energy, Japan Suiso Energy (JSE) and Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly pioneer the development of a liquid hydrogen supply chain between Australia and Japan – a critical step toward enabling cross-border clean energy trade.

Under the MOU, liquid hydrogen would be produced at Woodside’s proposed H2Perth Project in Western Australia’s Rockingham and Kwinana Industrial Zones. The project aims to produce hydrogen through natural gas reforming while achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions from day one. This goal would be achieved through carbon capture and storage (CCS), pending technical assessments and regulatory approvals, and by using carbon credits when necessary.

The hydrogen produced would be transported using specialized liquid hydrogen carriers to terminals in Japan, including the Kawasaki LH₂ Terminal being developed by JSE. This would establish a scalable international supply chain capable of supporting Japan’s 2050 carbon neutrality target and creating a foundation for Asia-Pacific hydrogen trade.

The collaboration brings together Woodside’s project development expertise, JSE’s hydrogen logistics leadership, and KEPCO’s role as a major Japanese energy provider under its "Zero Carbon Vision 2050." This tri-party partnership underscores the shared ambition to accelerate the energy transition and strengthen Australia–Japan energy relations.

A signing ceremony for the MOU was held in Osaka, Japan, attended by key representatives:

• Andy Drummond, EVP Strategy, Woodside

• Hon Madeline King MP, Australian Minister for Resources

• Eiichi Harada, President & CEO, JSE

• Hon Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia

• Satoshi Kuwano, EVP, KEPCO

This initiative demonstrates how technology, infrastructure, and international collaboration can power a lower-carbon future and create new business opportunities across the hydrogen value chain.