NT’s key role in national gas strategy
The federal government’s gas strategy has dealt a lethal blow to anti-gas campaigners. Like it or not, the resource is here to stay.
Northern Territory
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The federal government’s Future Gas Strategy puts the NT front-and-centre in the delivery of the crucial energy source until 2050 and beyond.
The strategy said the Northern Territory had only used four per cent of its total gas reserves and outlines a gas future beyond the Beetaloo Basin and Santos’ Barossa offshore field.
Australian Energy Producers NT state director David Slama said the strategy, released Thursday by federal Resources Minister Madeleine King, showed the importance of Territory natural gas.
“The Future Gas Strategy is clear that new gas supply is needed, recognising its importance to Australia’s energy security in a net zero economy to 2050 and beyond,” Mr Slama said.
“It also makes it clear that a Future Made in Australia is not possible without natural gas. Territory gas will continue to play an essential role powering industry and manufacturing, including critical mineral processing, for the foreseeable future.
“Today, natural gas supplies three quarters of the Territory’s energy needs and 86 per cent of the Territory’s electricity generation. Our LNG exports are also a major economic driver.
“While the Strategy states a commitment to remain a ‘reliable and trusted trade and investment partner’, it should also recognise the significant economic opportunity from the growth in LNG demand in our region to 2050.”
Ms King said gas would be a requirement for national economic growth until 2050 and beyond and new sources of gas would be required as existing fields deplete.
The strategy commits the Australian government to facilitating gas development and use while moving towards its domestic goal of net zero by 2050 and supporting the net zero goals of Australia’s international gas customer nations.
The strategy said the energy transition cannot take place without gas.
“It is likely that gas will still play a role in (Australian) electricity generation up to and beyond 2050,” it said.
It said there was no substitute for gas for manufacturing and other industrial uses and it would be needed to manufacture nitrogenous fertilisers, plastics and cement and critical minerals required for the energy transition cannot be refined or smelted without gas.
Conservation groups are unhappy with the strategy, Envrionment Centre NT’s Kirsty Howie saying it will turn northern Australia into a climate sacrifce zone unfit for human habitation.
“Northern Australia will become a fossil fuel sacrifice zone if the Albanese Government’s future gas strategy isn’t stopped dead in its tracks,” Ms Howie said.
“This strategy will hurtle northern Australia towards climate collapse. Opening up new carbon bombs like Santos’ Barossa field, fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, and the taxpayer-funded Middle Arm fracked gas hub is utterly irresponsible.”
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Originally published as NT’s key role in national gas strategy
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