German–Australian Energy Partnership: Strengthening Ties in Western Australia

The inaugural Australia–EU Hydrogen Supply Chain Forum in Perth concluded a high-level German delegation visit to Western Australia in early September. Organised by adelphi under the German–Australian Energy Partnership, the visit brought together senior representatives from Germany, the EU and Australian counterparts. 

The five-day programme was supported by the German–Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and other partners. It included Parliamentary State Secretary Stefan Rouenhoff (BMWE), industry and research stakeholders, and European and Australian officials exploring opportunities in hydrogen, hydrogen derivatives and green iron supply chains. 

Focus on hydrogen, green iron and supply chain development

The delegation agenda centred on the cooperation around Australia’s vast potential for renewable energies and hydrogen as well as value-added products such as green iron. German stakeholders were interested in partnering around financing and investment, offtake, infrastructure, technology as well as R&D.  Key topics included:

• Renewable hydrogen: projects, certification, logistics and readiness for EU markets

• Green iron: projects, innovation, building resilient, low-carbon supply chains

• H2Global: funding for bankable renewable hydrogen product delivery to Germany

Participants visited key regions and pilot projects and met with Australian leaders from government, research and industry to exchange perspectives on emerging opportunities.

Alongside the delegation trip, the consultation for the bilateral Australia-Germany Joint H2Global Tender was launched on 3^rd September. The consultation seeks input on key design elements until 30 September 2025. 

Milestone agreement announced after the delegation 

Shortly after the delegation concluded, Australian Progressive Green Solutions announced a 100% offtake agreement with Thyssenkrupp Materials Trading for Australia’s first large-scale green iron project in Geraldton, Western Australia. Other German partners of the project include KfW IPEX Bank, SMS Group and Thyssenkrupp nucera. 

This agreement represents a significant step for Australia–Germany industrial cooperation and demonstrates the emerging potential for clean energy trade relationships between the regions and reflects the type of collaboration and connections that delegations like this aim to support. 

Australia–EU Hydrogen Supply Chain Forum launches in Perth

The trip culminated on 4–5 September with the first-ever Australia–EU Hydrogen Supply Chain Forum in Perth. The event was hosted by the governments of Australia, Germany and the Netherlands, supported by the EU Delegation to Australia, the Australian Hydrogen Council, the Italian and Danish governments, the Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transition and Business Events Perth.

The Forum gathered senior European and Australian representatives to discuss hydrogen, hydrogen derivatives and green iron, and to explore the next steps in strengthening transcontinental cooperation and supply chains.

Continued cooperation under the Energy Partnership

The German–Australian Energy Partnership, coordinated by adelphi since 2021 on behalf of BMWE, facilitates dialogue and industry exchange on hydrogen, energy efficiency and industrial decarbonisation. Previous delegations and working groups have focused on a variety of topics, including hydrogen, offshore wind, energy efficiency, the power sector and many others.

This Western Australia mission and the Australia–EU Hydrogen Supply Chain Forum add a European dimension to the partnership, highlighting the growing role of cross-regional collaboration in developing future energy markets.

More information on the partnership can be found here.