Germany's RWE plans to bring hydrogen produced in Australia to Europe, as big energy firms look to create new global routes for the cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

RWE Supply & Trading said on Thursday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia's The Hydrogen Utility Pty Ltd (H2U). Timing and financial details were not disclosed.

RWE said a planned LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel, on Germany's North Sea coast, could potentially handle future imports of H2U's green hydrogen.

German rival Uniper said on Wednesday it was considering converting its coal-fired power plant at Wilhelmshaven, also on the North Sea, into a hydrogen hub.

LNG projects in Germany have not taken off because the region is well supplied with pipeline gas from Russia and Norway.

Hydrogen is considered "green" when produced from renewable power such as wind or sunshine through electrolysis.

The advent of green hydrogen - supported by Germany with a 9 billion euros ($10.8 billion) program agreed last summer - could perhaps leapfrog LNG ambitions.

"As a globally active trader of commodities, we have a lot of experience with shipping energy carriers – including Australian LNG – around the globe and see ourselves as a facilitator for global hydrogen trading," said Javier Moret, global head of LNG at RWE Supply & Trading.