Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to work closely with gas companies To If exporters send all their surplus gas abroad, they will have to deal with supply issues after a 2023 gas shortage is forecast in their energy reports.
Albanese on Tuesday stressed the importance of ensuring a consistent flow of domestic supplies as the government unveiled its plans To The gas trigger mechanism will be activated from next year until January 2030.
“Current, gas The extracted one (it) is non-shrinking. That’s what we’re seeing,” he told Nine Network on Tuesday.
“We are not thinking of interfering When I have an existing contract there, but I need To Allow businesses and manufacturers to continue, and households to access To gas”
gas supply shortage
It comes after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission A report released on Monday, It warned of “substantial risks to Australia’s energy security” in 2023 and upward pressure on prices that could cause some manufacturers to close their operations.
“We are very concerned about reports of even higher prices being offered to C&I (commercial and industrial) users in April and May 2022, with a gas price of $21.20 per GJ. We are also concerned about the very high prices observed in the domestic spot market since May and high LNG prices that could lead to long-term contract prices,” the report said.
The impact of the short supply is concentrated in the southern states (NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory), according to the report, where gas resources have been declining for some time, with a projected shortage of 54 PJ. It has been.
“If all of the LNG exporters’ surplus gas is sold to overseas markets, the domestic East Coast gas market could be short of 56 PJ of the gas needed to meet projected demand in 2023.”
Meanwhile, Resources Minister Madeleine King said on Tuesday: ABC Radio National What government can do work When situation To Develop domestic policies for future reserve development.
“We are aware that Queensland is promoting domestic policies for future reserves development, and if Victoria or New South Wales move towards further gas exploration, we will work with them to: I would say that we also implemented some kind of reasonable domestic gas reserve policy,” King said.
but, gas Manufacturers claim that supply shortages are unlikely.
“The ACCC report shows an uncontracted energy of 167 petajoules. gas We will be able to supply the domestic market next year,” said Damian Dwyer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Petroleum Producing and Exploration Association.
“This is more than enough gas To Make sure there are no shortages. ”
Shift to nuclear power?
Opposition leader Peter Dutton argued that “it is time for Australia to have an honest and informed discussion about the benefits and costs of nuclear energy”, adding that Australia was already a “nuclear power”. When A research reactor that has been in operation for over 60 years.
“All technology is needed if we are to get serious about reducing emissions while at the same time maintaining a strong economy and protecting traditional industries. To on the table,” he said in a statement.
His opinion is echoed by Nationals leader David Littleproud, who said his party was looking forward to To A conversation about making nuclear power “safe, affordable and reliable.”
While France, Japan, South Korea, Sweden and the United States are embracing nuclear energy technology, Australia’s move toward nuclear power is hampered by a 1998 moratorium banning the “building or operation” of nuclear power plants. .
But Dave Sweeney, a nuclear-free advocate for the Australian Conservation Foundation, argued that renewable energy should be the future.
“Australia is blessed When Abundant renewable resources, good infrastructure and smart people,” he said.
“Our energy future is renewable, not radioactive.”
AAP contributed to this article.
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Nina Nguyen is a reporter based in Sydney. She covers Australian news with a focus on social, cultural and identity issues. She is fluent in Vietnamese. Please contact her at [email protected]