Business, industry and utilities back biogas
for net zero Australia
A call for the Australian Government to unleash the power of biogas has been backed by the leading organisations in the country’s energy and waste sectors.
In the open letter to the Commonwealth (federal) Government, the signatories (see below) advocate for biomethane to be injected into the gas distribution networks, to enable the lowest cost transition to a decarbonised energy system.
Co-ordinated by Bioenergy Australia, the organisation’s CEO Shahana McKenzie (pictured) said the letter represents thousands of organisations and millions of employees across business, industry and utilities sectors who are willing to work together on innovative cross sector solutions in the market.
“This support, combined with the right government vision and investment, means Australia could unlock the significant economic and varied social benefits of bioenergy – particularly in regional areas,” said McKenzie.
This includes wastewater treatment plants, landfill sites, agricultural and food processing facilities, where the methane is captured and used rather than emitted into the atmosphere.
Enough biogas for industrial, commercial and residential use
A landmark report commissioned by Bioenergy Australia last year on the availability of biogas in Australia identified 371PJ (103TWh) of available energy, which is enough to decarbonise industrial, commercial and residential gas users currently supplied by distributed gas networks across Australia.
McKenzie said, “We are confident with the right policy settings, Australia can attract the necessary investment to deliver a cost-effective, zero-emissions energy system that will create new jobs and new industries.”
“To achieve this, we are calling on governments and relevant agencies to work with us to further identify and raise awareness of the bioenergy resources that are available for development at a Federal, State/Territory and regional level and unlock seed funding from government and private investment to showcase, activate and de-risk the biomethane market across Australia.”
“Creating this policy environment will enable gas users to quickly and cost-effectively achieve net zero emissions now, while also scaling to play a significant role in decarbonising the gas supply system over the next decade and beyond,” concluded McKenzie.
Signatories calling for Australian biomethane market development
- Ai Group
2. Anaergia
3. APA
4. AusNet Services
5. ATCO
6. Australian Gas Infrastructure Group
7. Australian Pipeline and Gas Association
8. Business Council of Australia
9. Bioenergy Australia
10. biogass
11. Delorean Energy
12. EDL
13. Energy Networks Australia
14. Energy Users Association of Australia
15. engv
16. Gas Energy Australia
17. Gippsland Water
18. Hitachi Zosen Inova
19. Hunter Water
20. Infrastructure Partnerships Australia
21. Interface Carpets
22. Jemena
23. Queensland Farmers Federation
24. Renewable Gas Alliance
25. Sydney Water
26. Utilitas
27. Waga Energy
28. Water Services Association of Australia
29. Yarra Valley Water
