The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) today reaffirmed that the delivery of sufficient supply of domestic natural gas in WA is required to underpin delivery of the energy transition locally, nationally and globally.
CME Chief Executive, Rebecca Tomkinson, said the latest report by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) pointed to an urgent need to balance future gas demand and supply.
“AEMO’s 2023 WA Gas Statement of Opportunities identifies an increasing need for investment in additional gas supply into the state’s domestic market,” said Ms Tomkinson.
“The clock is ticking and immediate progression of gas projects already in the pipeline is imperative because we’re in catch-up mode, according to the data,” said Ms Tomkinson.
“The WA Government has recently introduced a raft of initiatives to step up departmental efficiency and speed up the approvals process but the time for talk is over. It’s now time for action.
“We know that the WA domestic gas market is projected to be in deficit between 2024 and 2029, with potential supply more than 10 per cent below expected demand.”
Ms Tomkinson said the expected supply shortfalls were underpinned by declining production from existing WA gas fields and the increasing use of gas for industrial processing as well as electricity generation in the state’s major power system as the energy transition progresses.
“CME has repeatedly made this point in its advocacy, including its submission to the Inquiry into the WA Domestic Gas Policy and its WA 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission,” she said.
“The WA Government must encourage adequate supply to the domestic market and facilitate all technologies that enable net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This includes increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of federal-state approvals processes.”
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Media contact: Natasha Mutch
