Natural gas integral to WA’s economic prosperity and low emissions future

APPEA Western Australia Director Claire Wilkinson had an opinion editorial published in The West Australian newspaper today highlighting the integral role of Western Australia’s natural gas advantage and the role it plays in the state’s economic prosperity.

Of all Australia’s states, WA is the most reliant on natural gas for its energy needs at more than 50% of output — only the Northern Territory has a higher percentage of gas use as part of its energy mix — supplying power to homes, businesses and several critical industries, including schools and hospitals.  

Ms Wilkinson said natural gas supported the state’s mining industry (the nation’s largest), particularly in high-activity regions such as the Pilbara and Goldfields-Esperance; and provided energy for fertiliser manufacturers to support agriculture. She also stated that the challenges of COVID-19 highlighted the importance of assisting these crucial supply chains.

“The importance of maintaining a stable supply of energy for the State and the region has been heightened this year as COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and turbocharged change in the way we do business and conduct our operations,” Ms Wilkinson said. 

Ms Wilkinson also highlighted some of the major gas projects expected to receive final investment decisions (FID) in 2021 following delays from the COVID-19 pandemic, including Mitsui’s Waitsia Stage 2 development, Strike Energy’s West Erregulla gas project, and Woodside’s Scarborough project. 

“Despite the challenges, the industry has continued to supply gas to WA homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, and other critical industries such as mining and minerals processing from the northwest to the southwest and out to the Goldfields,” Ms Wilkinson stated. 

“Keeping natural gas flowing throughout the pandemic is something of which thousands of WA oil and gas workers located on offshore platforms, support vessels, drilling rigs, LNG plants, and in Perth offices, should be very proud.” 

The full opinion editorial can be read here.