Andrew Forrest, founder and non-executive chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, has publicly declared anyone who doubts the future of hydrogen fuel-cell technology to be a muppet, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Forrest, better known as “Twiggy” due to his long hair, is an Australian iron ore baron who has recently shown an interest in green energy.
He has been investing heavily into hydrogen technology and pushing for Australia to lead the charge on this new energy source.
Hydrogen fuel-cell technology has the potential to revolutionize renewable energy. Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, can be combined with oxygen to create an almost limitless supply of energy.
When hydrogen is burned, it produces no harmful emissions, making it an ideal renewable fuel source. The only by-product of using hydrogen is water, making it both efficient and eco-friendly.
Forrest says hydrogen fuel-cells are the wave of the future, and anyone doubting it is acting like a muppet. In Australia, Forrest’s company is planning to open a hydrogen production facility in the Northern Territory that will house a large-scale fuel-cell power plant.
At the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa forum in Marrakesh, Morocco on Tuesday, Twiggy – the second wealthiest individual in Australia, with a net worth of around $35.21 billion – made certain remarks.
“I firmly believe in the power of batteries, but anyone who contends that hydrogen doesn’t have its purpose is clearly off base,” he said, doing a pantomime of a muppet show.
“The stage is filled with Muppet characters in a show,” Twiggy laughed.
“Elon is the muppet?” Bloomberg journalist Erik Schatzker asked.
“Anyone who claims hydrogen does not have a great future, even Elon or another individual you may admire, are wrong; battery and fuel cells will be the prominent form of energy in the future,” Twiggy said.
Musk has firmly maintained his stance on hydrogen fuel-cell technology not being suitable for energy storage in transportation, although he has acknowledged its potential for industrial applications like steel production.