Australia is funnelling $80 million into gas projects in a bid to keep domestic prices down while supplies squeeze worldwide.
Following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia—the world’s biggest natural gas exporter—has been sealed from international supply lines due to targeted sanctions aimed at key Russian exports.
Energy Minister Angus Taylor said Australia was determined to ensure lower costs for households and businesses, making Europe and the United Kingdom an example of the over-dependence on gas imports.
“Our prices have remained around 75 to 80 per cent below these international highs. We must continue to invest in gas to keep our price internationally competitive to support local business,” he said.
The funding follows the government’s announcement that it would begin approving exploration rights for new oil and gas drilling operations.
Resources Minister Keith Pitt had earlier criticised the Russian government, stating that Australia’s contribution to global supplies would help alleviate Europe’s woes.
Corporations Capitalise on Gas Crunch
Australia’s forecast gas shortfall and the push to unlock more production has been fueled by an unwillingness from gas corporations to sell domestically.Australia is a net exporter of gas and maintains the title as one of the world’s biggest suppliers of liquified natural gas (LNG).
But this has not translated to adequate supplies at home, with expensive overseas markets enticing gas companies to sell elsewhere.
In particular, November 2021 saw Australia’s highest year on record for gas exports, with nearly AU$6.5 billion (US$4.8 billion) worth of LNG shipped abroad.
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) has aired worries that the decision to maximise profit had undermined the availability of the resource for households and businesses.
That’s enough gas to power half a million Australian homes a year.
Renewables Drive-Up Dependence on Gas
Europe’s rapid uptake of renewable energy has also left the bloc heavily dependent on natural gas.Gas-fired power has become attractive to nations seeking to reduce emissions because of its ability to fire up quickly, making it able to patch gaps in energy demand when wind and solar output is low.
As a result, gas’ place in Europe’s electricity mix has doubled over the last 25 years.
And months prior to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Europe experienced another energy crisis after record low wind drove up demand for natural gas.
However, back in Australia, the use of gas has been criticised by environmental groups who have called for the removal of all fuels that produce carbon dioxide emissions.
Wary of outcries, the Australian government’s gas project investment will also include funding towards feasibility studies to assess the potential for new carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipelines.
CCS—a process involving piping carbon dioxide emissions into naturally-formed underground reservoirs—is one of several technologies the federal government has focused on in a bid to reduce emissions.
“The Government has a clear stance on both natural gas and CCS—we will strongly back these sectors which are critical to both affordable and reliable energy for all Australians, as well as emissions reduction,” Taylor said.
Although the technology has been backed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency, it remains controversial amongst some climate groups who believe it facilitates the continued use of fossil fuels.