Seoul, South Korea. The Asian nation is Western Australia’s third-largest trading partner. Photo: Leung Chopan.
Western Australian renewable energy resources and advanced manufacturing will be the first items on the agenda as Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson visits South Korea on a trade mission.
The three-day visit aims to bolster relations with South Korea and discuss opportunities available as WA continues its economic diversification.
The trade mission will further cooperation in areas such as carbon capture, green ammonia utilisation, green iron, utilisation and storage. It will also provide a chance to promote the state’s regulatory reforms and decarbonisation initiatives that make WA a more attractive investment vehicle.
Ms Sanderson will meet industry leaders, including Samsung C&T, LX International and POSCO, to spruik the state’s transition to green energy and discuss further investment and collaboration opportunities in fields including battery manufacturing.
“Our drive to decarbonise and diversify our economy as we make WA a renewable energy powerhouse offers opportunities for our trading neighbours, including South Korea,” Ms Sanderson said.
“We are looking to forge new and beneficial partnerships in areas including green iron, green ammonia, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage.”
Ms Sanderson will also promote the Energy Exchange Australia 2026 conference, which is set to be held in Perth next March.
South Korea is the state’s third-largest trading partner and major Korean companies such as POSCO, KOGAS, Samsung C&T and LG Chem invest in the state.
The visit aims to build on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in September 2024 between South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the WA Government.
The MOU focuses on cooperation and collaboration in critical minerals, clean energy, renewable hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation.
“Our state is ready to showcase its world-class capabilities. South Korea’s expertise and investment will play a key role in driving our clean energy transition,” Ms Sanderson said.
