Swiss company step closer to storing coal emissions under Western Downs town
A Swiss mining company is one step closer to storing CO2 emissions from Queensland coal-fired power stations, below the surface of a small regional town on the Western Downs.
Chinchilla
Don't miss out on the headlines from Chinchilla. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After receiving $5m from the Federal Government, international mining company Glencore is one step closer to permanently storing carbon dioxide from Queensland coal-fired power stations below Moonie on the Western Downs.
The Swiss based company has been granted millions to demonstrate the viability of carbon capture and storage (CCS) from coal-fired stations across Queensland’s energy rich Surat basin.
CCS is the process of capturing CO₂ formed during the generation of power and storing it before it enters and pollutes the atmosphere.
Glencore’s Carbon Transport and Storage Company Project will be based at the Millmerran Power Station after the Australian Government announced six winners of a $50m in grants from the carbon capture fund in June 2021.
A Glencore spokesman said they intend to store the CO2 deep underground, 230km south of Wandoan near Moonie.
Federal Minister for the Maranoa David Littleproud said the project will reduce emissions, support new economic opportunities, and create jobs in the Surat Basin.
“(We’re) committed to investing in the next generation of energy technologies that will deliver lower emissions, lower costs and create more jobs, and Maranoa is leading the way with innovative projects like this,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap is supporting our industries to drive emissions reductions.”
In 2018 Carbon Transport and Storage Company (CTSCo) said the Queensland Government had originally identified the area around the town of Wandoan as ideal for a large commercial scale CO2 storage potential - which has since changed.
“The Queensland Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 allows for exploration and testing for the feasibility of storage of C)2 storage,” online CTSCo documents reveal.
“In 2012 CTSCo was awarded a permit by the Queensland Government under the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 authorising carbon storage exploration activities under an Environmental Authority.”
As Queensland relies on coal and gas as an affordable and reliable source of energy, CTSCo said there’s a need for the responsible management of greenhouse gas emissions.
“(CCS) technology has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from fossil fuels used to generate electricity and other industrial processes such as chemicals and fertiliser manufacturing,” the document read.
“There is no ‘quick fix’ or single technology solution to reducing global CO2 levels. A broad suite of low emission technologies will be needed.
“Renewable energy from solar, wind and hydro will also play an important role in the future energy mix.”
The CCS project has been largely funded by the Australian Government who have put in at least $30m into the study and development of the CTSCo.
Sport shorts: The Darling Downs and South West stories you need to see
Check out our latest instalment of sports shorts where we shine a light on the region’s sporting stories, including when you can catch Brisbane Broncos NRL and NRLW stars in the Garden City and see which young guns are set to compete for Queensland in netball.
These are the Qld towns you don’t want to give birth in
Confronting staffing figures show eight Queensland maternity facilities have experienced a desperate shortage of obstetricians, anaesthetists and midwives.