SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - A roundtable focused on strengthening clean energy partnerships between Australia and Korea was hosted in Sydney last Thursday.
Hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea) with support from HWLE Lawyers and Elecseed, the event brought together 25 C-suite executives and senior government officials to explore collaboration opportunities across the clean energy sector.
Representatives from major organizations including POSCO Australia, LG Energy Solution Australia, Hanwha Energy Australia, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai E&C, KEPCO Australia, Korea East-West Power (Australia), GS E&C Australia, Port of Newcastle, PwC, and Elecseed attended the forum.
Through presentations and discussions, participants examined cooperation potential in hydrogen, CCUS, ammonia, critical minerals and electrification, drawing on policy, legal and investor insights into market trends and regulatory hurdles. Speakers underscored the need for clearer policy direction, deeper academic analysis and stronger institutional leadership to bolster Australia’s competitiveness as a green energy exporter and a long-term partner for Korea.
Attendees also shared updates on ongoing bilateral projects, noting financing challenges, certification and regulatory alignment issues, and grid constraints, while highlighting the complementary strengths of Australia’s natural resource base and Korea’s industrial and engineering capabilities.
AustCham Korea Chief Executive Officer Rowan Petz said the roundtable was intended to facilitate high-level dialogue. “This roundtable was created for decision makers who are moving from ambition to actual investment,” Petz said. “We want Korean and Australian companies to engage directly with officials and industry partners to address barriers in project execution.” He added that AustCham Korea will continue to act as a “trusted conduit” for navigating regulatory, technical and commercial issues.
David Lee, Partner at HWLE Lawyers and Director of AustCham Korea, emphasized the importance of early engagement. "Foreign investors into Australia seek clarity and consistency," Lee said. "Engaging key stakeholders early fosters effective communication and alignment of expectations."
AustCham Korea, established more than 20 years ago, serves as the peak body representing Australian and Korean business interests in Seoul. It supports more than 110 member organizations across energy, infrastructure, resources, finance and technology, working closely with the Australian Embassy, Austrade and state government offices to facilitate market access and policy dialogue.
HWLE Lawyers, Australia’s largest legal partnership, advises domestic and international clients on complex transactions and regulatory matters in energy, resources and infrastructure. Elecseed, a renewable energy developer based in Seoul and Brisbane, provides integrated solutions across solar, wind, hydrogen and battery storage, supporting bilateral investment and technology cooperation.
Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy security and competitiveness. Frameworks such as the Australia–Korea Green Economy Partnership and the Hydrogen Trade and Investment Dialogue continue to expand cross-border cooperation, helping to scale clean energy technologies and support the commercial viability of future projects.
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