Western Australia (WA) needs to start developing new gas sources immediately to avoid deficits in the coming years, Australia’s Energy Monitor said. Meanwhile, similar concerns are being brewed nationwide.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) annual gas outlook for Western Australia predicts a supply gap between 2025 and 2027 and is a concern after 2027 after the completion of Woodside Energy’s Scarborough Gas project. Has been relaxed.
Future gas supply imbalances were caused by increased demand in the mining sector and the abolition of two of the four units of the Muja coal-fired power plant, with renewable energy partially replacing losses.
To address this issue, AEMO has proposed the development of available gas fields such as Corvus and Lockyer Deep. He also emphasized the existing gas stock that can be increased from existing gas plants and withdrawn from storage.
AEMO also pointed out the overall trend of renewable energy growth, which has spurred an increase in demand for available gas-based energy.
This is because the gas has the ability to ignite very quickly. The federal government praises it as important for quickly closing the energy demand gap during times of inadequate wind and solar supply due to weather.
In the UK and other parts of Europe, inadequate wind power has led to a dramatic increase in demand across the region, with gas prices soaring 400%, followed by recent gas supply problems.
“Australia’s energy sector is undergoing rapid change, driven by changes in consumer behavior and efforts to decarbonize systems,” said Martin Maticka, WA Markets Group Manager, AEMO. Said..
“A strong connection between Australia’s gas and electricity sectors means that the changes that occur in one sector will affect the other.”
However, the Australian Petroleum Production Exploration Association (APPEA), the peak oil and gas agency, has warned that current protocols can make it difficult to secure new gas projects within the required time frame.
“Developing new gas resources is not a matter of course, and realizing the project is a complex technical and commercial challenge,” said Claire Wilkinson, director of APPEAWA.pdf).
“Unfortunately, I’ve heard that there has been a very long evaluation period for project approval and regulatory overlap between government agencies and between states and federals. In some cases, the regulatory framework is not in place. . “
Concerns about gas shortages are also seen on Australia’s populous East Coast, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has declared the country “time out” to avoid the impending gas crisis.
To address this, the federal government began exploring new oil and gas in June and announced on November 26 the National Gas Infrastructure Plan and an investment framework to secure gas supplies for the next 20 years. did.
However, the decision to continue investing in carbon dioxide emission fuels has offended environmental groups, especially in the wake of Australia’s net zero commitment to 2025 and attendance at the United Nations’ 26th International Framework Convention on Climate Change COP26. ..
Simon Bradshaw, head of research for the Climate Council, a climate change communications organization, has expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s decision to continue to promote investment in oil and gas.
“Does this government not understand what part of the gas is polluted fossil fuels? This plan is a disaster. The science is very clear. To avoid a climatic catastrophe, fossil fuels You have to stay on the ground. ” Said..
“Net zero by 2050The International Energy Agency (IEA) has concluded that new oils and gases should not be developed to limit temperatures below the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“Gas is dirty, expensive, inefficient and harmful to our health. All we can do by opening a new basin is to increase the harm to Australia’s lives and lives.”
“Australia has the potential to become a renewable energy superpower now that the world is embracing renewable energy away from fossil fuels, but instead lives on in a polluted past. This plan is fundamental. In line with the global climate agreement that Australia signed in Glasgow just two weeks ago. “
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Daniel Khmelev is a Perth-based Australian reporter working on energy, technology and politics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, physics and computer science. Contact him at [email protected]