Claims Viva “trick” misrepresenting gas terminal’s emissions, as energy provider reveals hydrogen plans
Viva Energy has been accused of misrepresenting key emissions data related to a proposed gas terminal in Corio Bay. Here’s why the report skipped this contentious detail.
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Environment Victoria has accused Viva Energy of using a “climate accounting trick” to under-report its estimated gas terminal emissions.
In its statement, Viva Energy reports the total operating emissions of the gas terminal would be an estimated 47,906 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, however Environment Victoria campaigns manager Greg Foyster claims the true number is up to 12 times higher.
“Viva has pulled a climate accounting trick and excluded the emissions from transporting the liquefied natural gas to Victoria,” Mr Foyster said.
“In other words, they’re proposing to import massive amounts of gas in huge LNG tankers but not counting all the fuel that those boats will burn to get here.”
On Monday, Viva Energy released its environment effects statement as well as the commencement of the 30-day public exhibition for the proposed gas terminal project that is slated to deliver a new and critical supply of natural gas to southeast Australia.
Viva Energy chief executive Scott Wyatt said the project would play a critical role in meeting the state’s energy needs while forming an important short-term solution to gas shortages.
“We have set out the emissions that will be created by implementing this facility. There are also plans to offset those emissions, so it is a genuine zero emissions project,” Mr Wyatt said.
“We haven’t counted the emissions that are associated with bringing gas into the state because our role is not as a gas supplier, our role is as an infrastructure player in terms of providing infrastructure for existing retailers, wholesalers and gas producers to bring gas into Victoria.”
But Mr Foyster said: “Instead of giving the community a complete and transparent account of greenhouse gas emissions, Viva Energy has buried the figures in the appendix of a 13,000-page document.
“Viva Energy have tried to argue these transport emissions are out of scope, even though a similar project from AGL included them, and the government-appointed panel that assessed that project also said they should be included.”
To view the Viva Energy gas terminal project EES, head to vivaenergy.com.au/energy-hub/gas-terminal-project/environment-effects-statement
Viva plans historic hydrogen refuelling station in Geelong
Australia’s first public commercial hydrogen refuelling station will be built at Geelong’s Viva Energy plant.
On Tuesday, Viva Energy announced plans to launch a $43.3m ‘New Energies Service Station’ project set to be located at the entrance of the Geelong refinery by 2023.
The service station, which will be the first of its kind in Australia, is hoped to play a critical role in reducing diesel emissions in heavy transport vehicles.
Viva Energy has partnered with Toll Group, bus company ComfortDelGro Corperation Australia (CDC), Cleanaway and Barwon Water to deploy vehicles within the first year of the project.
Chief executive officer Scott Wyatt said he was delighted to demonstrate the important role hydrogen would play in what he hoped would be the beginning of a network of hydrogen-refuelling outlets on key transport routes up the east coast of Australia.
“This project puts hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road to prove their value in day-to-day commercial operations while reducing the carbon footprint of the heavy vehicle transport we rely on every day,” he said.
Chairman of Viva Energy and former Environmental Minster Robert Hill said in this instance “Australia was not behind the rest of the world”.
“I don’t think it’s over the top to call this is a historic day,” he said.
The project which sits at the intersection of emerging energy and transportation will be funded by the federal government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), providing $22.8 million to build the hydrogen cell refuelling station.
A further $1m has been contributed by the state government via the Renewable Hydrogen Commercialisation Pathways Fund.
The project is set to incorporate a 2-megawatt electrolyser for the generation of green hydrogen using recycled water from Barwon Water’s Northern Water Plant.
Water Minister Lisa Neville said the partnership between Viva Energy and Barwon Water would encourage better use of alternative water resources.
“The use of recycled water for the production of renewable hydrogen in the project is an important step in Barwon Water’s aim for the productive reuse of 100 per cent of the recycled water produced at its water reclamation plants,” she said.
Viva Energy also confirmed it was moving ahead with plans to build a solar energy farm at the refinery to further diversify the site and transition to a future focused “energy hub”.
The solar farm will generate between 15-20 megawatts of renewable energy meeting up to 10 per cent of the Geelong Refinery’s electricity needs, while wind power already generates around one third of its annual electricity requirements.
The projects will help Viva Energy work towards its goal of net zero carbon emissions across the business by 2050.
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Originally published as Claims Viva “trick” misrepresenting gas terminal’s emissions, as energy provider reveals hydrogen plans
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