A high-profile delegation of renewable energy investors and industry leaders from Germany and Australia have arrived in Townsville North Queensland to explore investment opportunities in the region’s booming renewable energy and critical minerals sectors.
The delegation, comprising representatives from 16 companies, is here to gain first-hand insights into current and emerging projects, fostering collaborations that will drive the transition to clean energy and sustainable resource development.
Their visit underscores Townsville’s growing reputation as a key hub for renewable energy and critical minerals, both of which are essential to Australia’s and Germany’s shared clean energy future.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith says it's an honour to host a distinguished delegation of renewable energy investors and pioneers who share a vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
“Welcoming these international investors to Townsville North Queensland is a testament to the strength of the region’s renewable energy and critical minerals industries,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.
“Germany has long been a global leader in renewable energy and innovation, and their expertise in renewables aligns perfectly with the opportunities that this region offers.”
“With world-class solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage projects already underway across North Queensland, our region is well-positioned to attract international investment and expertise, and we believe that through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and investment, we can forge strong partnerships that will benefit both nations.”
“Germany has been at the forefront of the global energy transition, and its investors are keen to explore synergies with Australian companies and government initiatives aimed at securing sustainable supply chains for critical minerals and green energy projects.”
“The delegation’s week-long itinerary includes site visits to leading renewable energy and critical minerals projects such as Ark Energy at Sun Metals, the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, James Cook University, Jetzero’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel project, and Glencore’s Critical Minerals Common
User Facility and many more, with discussions centred around investment strategies to accelerate the region’s clean energy ambitions.”
Consul General Felix Schwarz, visiting Townsville for the first time, said the opportunities for partnerships between Germany and Australia are significant.
“The incoming German government has decided to invest hundreds of billions of Euros in Germany’s future, including into infrastructure, energy and climate. This also offers great opportunities for Australia, Queensland and Townsville, in particular around renewables, hydrogen and critical minerals. Let us continue to create German-Australian win-win-situations,” said Mr Schwarz.
“There is a new range of opportunities for collaboration with value partners such as Australia, in particular in the Townsville North Queensland region with ample potential and established German-Australian relationships.”
German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Head of Hydrogen, Cluster Manager, Florence Lindhaus said the visit was a positive opportunity for both nation’s to foster strong industry partnerships with global net zero targets in mind.
“As Germany continues its push toward net positive, securing reliable partners in Australia’s renewable energy and resource sectors is a strategic priority,” Ms Lindhaus said.
“We see great potential for collaboration that benefits both nations, particularly in hydrogen production, battery technology, and sustainable mining, and Townsville is certainly in the spotlight.”
