Gas keeping Queenslanders out of the dark

Data from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has once again proven that gas is the workhorse of Australia’s energy mix with use almost tripling in Queensland following the Callide power station fire.

APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said gas is not only vital to create everyday products but also Queensland’s electricity generation.

“Gas has once again shown its versatility and reliability, literally keeping the lights on in Queensland following the Callide fire,” Mr McConville said.

“The figures don’t lie, in Queensland’s hour of need it was gas that came to the rescue.

“Gas can do things that renewables simply can’t including providing feedstock to manufacturing plants and helping create everyday products such as clothes, computers, phones, fertilisers and vital medical equipment such as heart valves.

“Natural gas also plays a vital role in reducing Queensland, Australia’s and Asia’s emissions. The Australian Government estimates Australia’s LNG has the potential to lower emissions in LNG importing countries by around 170 million tonnes CO2- each year by providing an alternative to higher emissions fuels – the equivalent of almost one-third of Australia’s total annual emissions.

“Our industry is also leading the world in the practical development of carbon capture and storage and hydrogen which will be essential as Australia moves to net zero emissions by 2050.”

Last week, AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman spoke about the Callide Fire in his keynote CEDA address https://aemo.com.au/newsroom/news-updates/the-view-from-the-control-room, noting gas firming is currently invaluable, since it can be called on for short periods or long and the unified effort, from all involved, to get 400 000 homes and many large businesses back on power as soon as possible.

Acting APPEA Queensland Director Matt Paull said gas is also a vital plank of the Queensland economy.

“Our industry is worth $11.1 billion to the Queensland economy each year and directly and indirectly employs more than 47000 Queenslanders,” Mr Paull said.

“The State Budget papers show royalties from our industry will be more than $2.7 billion over the forward estimates.

“The sector has also invested more than $70 billion into Queensland’s economy to develop the natural gas and LNG industries.”