AGIG welcomes Australian gas infrastructure plan
Australian Gas and Infrastructure Group (AGIG) on November 30 welcomed the Australian government's release of the first full National Gas Infrastructure Plan (NGIP) and a Future Gas Infrastructure Investment Framework.
AGIG CEO Craig de Laine welcomed the publication of the NGIP noting "gas infrastructure has a vital long-term role in securing net-zero emissions at the lowest cost for Australian industry, households and businesses".
de Laine said the release of the NGIP and the Future Gas Infrastructure Investment Framework provided more certainty for energy and infrastructure businesses. "As Energy Minister Angus Taylor rightly stated, the government is supporting a strategic approach to gas infrastructure investment over the next 20 years that recognises the importance of natural gas in delivering reliable, low emissions energy," de Laine added.
According to the NIGP, at least one new basin will need to be brought online before 2030 to meet projected east coast gas demand. The critical basins to unlock out to 2030 include the Narrabri gas project in New South Wales, the Beetaloo sub-basin in Northern Territory, the Galilee basin in Queensland and the North Bowen basin, also in Queensland.
The plan also envisions strategic expansions to existing pipeline capacity and the construction of entirely new pipelines to transport gas supplies to east coast markets; and expanded transportation capacity from north to south as northern supply expands and southern supply declines.
“The NGIP recognises the significant potential for existing gas infrastructure to deliver renewable gases such as hydrogen and biogas - both of which will be major contributors to the decarbonisation of the economy and achieving net zero at lowest cost,” de Laine said.
AGIG said it is working to decarbonise Australia’s already existing gas networks. It plans to achieve distribution networks on a blend of up to 10% zero carbon hydrogen by 2030, with a stretch target of converting its entire network to 100% zero carbon gas by 2040, with 2050 at the latest.