Media release: New gas supply and investment essential to WA’s long-term energy security

Western Australia’s long-term energy security will depend on bringing new gas supply online sooner, with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) warning that supply shortfalls will worsen from 2030 without continued new supply and investment.

AEMO’s 2025 Western Australian Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) confirms natural gas will remain critical to the state’s long-term economic growth and energy security – powering mining, mineral processing and industry, and as the main source of WA’s electricity.

Australian Energy Producers WA Director Richard Ellis said the WA GSOO reinforced the importance of timely investment decisions and policy certainty to ensure reliable and affordable energy for the state’s households and industry.

“The GSOO confirms natural gas will remain critical to Western Australia’s energy mix and a key driver of the state’s economy for decades, powering homes, businesses and industry,” Mr Ellis said.

“However, AEMO forecasts supply gaps from 2030 unless new supply enters the market. The only way to avoid those shortfalls is to bring new gas supply online sooner and maintain a stable regulatory environment that supports long-term investment in gas exploration and development.”

The WA GSOO forecasts potential annual supply gaps of around 11 terajoules per day (TJ/day) from 2030, widening to 82 TJ/day by 2035, driven primarily by declining output from existing and committed gas fields.

Mr Ellis said the findings underlined the need to fast-track new gas developments and replace depleting fields to support the state’s economy and energy system. They also highlighted emerging risks from pipeline constraints and more variable gas demand for electricity generation.

“Western Australia’s long-standing policy settings have underpinned decades of energy security and economic growth, but sustaining this into the future will depend on decisions made now.

“The message from AEMO is clear: continued investment in new gas supply and infrastructure is essential to maintain system adequacy beyond 2030,” he said.