"This investment of $1 million by the state government builds on our previous contributions to NERA over the past four years, and ensures the industry growth centre will continue to be headquartered in Western Australia, supporting jobs and the economy," premier Mark McGowan said. 

 

"NERA's work is aligned with the aims of the government's LNG Jobs Taskforce to enhance WA's global competitiveness and maximise opportunities for local participation in the LNG sector."

 

"This arrangement shows the commitment of the Western Australian government in supporting and creating jobs in the energy resources supply chain at the same time as driving a greener, cleaner and brighter energy future for all Western Australian," NERA CEO Miranda Taylor said. 

 

"And at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is making life hard for SMEs, this partnership demonstrates the government's support for local businesses in the energy resources sector supply chain."

 

Last month at the  Australian Hydrogen Conference, NERA's Paul Hodgson said his organisation was also betting big on hydrogen, hoping to drive a large scale technology chain to support development of the fuel across Australia with a view to adding value and creating an export industry for hydrogen technology. 

 

The plan is to develop this via clusters at the regional, state and national level. 

 

The hope is that increased collaboration will assist innovation and, at some point, help drive the scale needed to get a fully fledged hydrogen industry off the ground.