Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis is also part of the Premier’s trip to Berlin and Rotterdam, which will include meetings with senior government and industry figures and promote investment in South Australia’s Cape Hardy project.

The Premier will meet with German government ministers and advisors to the Chancellor, with Germany “the biggest player in green hydrogen in Europe”.

Queensland’s Gladstone and Townsville are also vying to be hydrogen hubs, while Western Australia has earmarked land in the Pilbara’s Port Hedland and Onslow for green hydrogen, ammonia and iron ore projects potentially worth $70b.

Speaking at the summit this week as a global leader driving the new industry, Malinauskas will argue the world must use green hydrogen to decarbonise.

“I think it’s an opportunity for us to use our hydrogen at home for industrial use producing green iron which, again, the world has to use if we’re going to meet net-zero targets,” he said on Monday.

“South Australia is already a global leader in renewable energy and we have world-leading plans for green hydrogen.

“As nations across the world pursue decarbonisation, they are increasingly interested South Australia’s plans. It is vital we make sure we are meeting face-to-face with the key players across both government and private industry to present our vision and maximise the investment opportunities for South Australia.

“The world needs clean energy and South Australia is uniquely positioned to lead the way.”

Iron ore firm Iron Road and Canada’s Amp Energy last month won the competitive bid to build the Cape Hardy green hydrogen project.

The new industrial hub and production plant on the Eyre Peninsula is near a deep-sea port so green hydrogen and ammonia can be added to existing mineral and grain exports.

Located close to existing transmission infrastructure, it is also near high-quality southern and central wind zones – a renewable energy source critical for commercial green hydrogen production.

Amp Energy intends to develop five gigawatts of electrolyser capacity over the next decade in the port precinct.

The planned export facility at Cape Hardy is expected to create nearly 5000 jobs during its development peak and more than 1000 positions when fully operational.

The federal government pledged $25m for the port to support future industries.

Liberty Steel has already announced plans to dump coal-based steelmaking at Whyalla, and will instead use natural gas and green hydrogen.

-with AAP