Sarah-Jane Tasker: To hit net zero, we need gas

Imagine a State that has an abundance of gas reserves to draw from hitting a deficit in supply that then forces energy prices to rise.

That’s a possibility in the booming resources State of Western Australia according to the independent Australian Energy Market Operator’s latest review of the local market.

The forecast has worsened since last year and AEMO now warns 27 per cent of demand could be unmet in a decade if extra supply is not brought online.

The update predicts that gas needed for electricity generation was expected to surge by more than 56 per cent over the next 10 years.

Kate Ryan, AEMO executive general manager WA, says the data highlights an increasing need for gas supply in WA.

“While there are many offshore and onshore undeveloped projects that could supply the WA domestic market, these projects are currently too speculative to include in the potential supply forecasts,” she said. According to AEMO, even some of the new projects — like Woodside’s Scarborough project — assumed in the base-case forecast remain at risk.

Ms Ryan says the findings underscored the opportunity for investment in additional gas supplies, plus the critical role the fuel has in supporting WA’s transition to net zero emissions.

Someone might want to tell the Disrupt Burrup Hub protestor who brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill on Monday after he parked a car across Mounts Bay Road and chained himself to a concrete block in the car’s boot.

If you want to achieve net zero emissions, the State needs more gas.