Angus Taylor, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction today unveiled Australia’s Bioenergy Roadmap, the first of its kind in Australia and a record commitment from the national government to bioenergy.
Shahana McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer of industry association Bioenergy Australia said the roadmap defines a clear decade of bioenergy action for Australia and acknowledges the urgency for the bioenergy sector to play a bigger part in the energy market.
Bioenergy in Australia is energy derived from the by-products and residues of plants and animals. Agriculture, farming, human habitation and forestry generate crop wastes and remains, manures and sludges, rendered animal fats, used oils, and timber residues, known collectively as “biomass”. Biomass converted to bioenergy can provide the power for cities and industries, the liquid fuel for planes and automobiles.
The Roadmap includes new analysis which confirms adopting key technologies would add $10 billion to Australia’s GDP by 2030 and create 26,200 full-time jobs, mostly in regional areas, as well as confirming that bioenergy has the potential to provide up to 40 per cent of Australia’s total energy consumption by the 2050s.
The adoption of key areas identified in the roadmap can deliver 10,800 more full-time jobs than what the oil and gas sector currently employ, a 9 per cent reduction of national carbon emissions by the 2030s, an additional 27 days of liquid fuel consumption cover by 2030s, an 80 per cent increase on Australia’s fuel security based on January 2020 storage levels and an 11.7 per cent reduction in Australian landfill waste.
The government has committed $33.5 million to ARENA to further support Australia’s bioenergy sector through co-funding additional research, development and deployment of advanced sustainable aviation and marine biofuels.
Taylor said Australia has a unique opportunity to grow a sustainable bioenergy sector that delivers lower emissions, regional growth, and waste management benefits for Australia.
“Like many technologies, working with industry to drive down production costs to price parity with traditional energy sources will be key to widespread uptake, with flow-on benefits to fuel security and diverting more waste from landfill. It is important that the sector works together to implement the roadmap’s vision, while promoting consumer choice and focusing on technological improvements.”
Bioenergy Australia has played a key role in the development of the Roadmap and has united more than 60 organisations spanning energy, aviation, heavy transport, investment and banking, construction, waste, agriculture, and research.
McKenzie said: “We are confident the bioenergy sector is ready to take on this decade of acceleration. Of particular excitement is the funding mechanisms which will enable this plan and particularly the amount of action that will be realised in the next three very important years.
“We are fully aligned with the government’s commitment to a sustainable bioenergy industry that delivers lower emissions, regional growth, energy resilience and waste management benefits for Australia. In particular, regional Australia has long been seeking out pathways as to how they are going to participate in lowering emissions. This Roadmap answers these questions and gives them an opportunity to play a significant role in the future of low emissions energy and fuel markets.
“This plan also outlines important developments for the waste and residue resources in Australia. Making the most of organic waste is a huge bioenergy opportunity for Australia particularly as well for the development of regional projects within the agricultural sector.
“This is a landmark moment for Australia’s clean energy transition. For significant and sustained job creation, economic stimulus, plus boosting our self-sufficiency in fuel, gas, and energy – all key concerns for the nation.
“The past two years has shown Australians want new industries, they want increased domestic manufacturing and job security, to reduce reliance on imports and to enhance our self-sufficiency. This Roadmap can deliver these market opportunities, along with immediate solutions for emissions reductions from hard-to-abate sectors – vital to meeting Australia’s Paris Agreement commitment.”
For more information, visit: www.minister.industry.gov.au
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