“Small and getting smaller”: New analysis into future of gas for electricity in Australia

New analysis has revealed that gas use in the National Electricity Market peaked in 2014 and is predicted to continue steadily diminishing.

The analysis, commissioned by Solutions for Climate Australia in response to gas industry spin around Australia’s demand for gas, used independent and government data to reveal the current and likely trajectory of our domestic energy mix.

Report author Tom Quinn, Springmount Advisory:

“On both the west and especially the east coast markets of Australia, we’ve seen steady declines in the use of gas for electricity. Gas use for electricity production in the National Electricity Market has halved in the past 10 years.

“Scenario planning from the Australian Energy Market Operator found that gas use for electricity production will continue to decline in all its modelled scenarios, and will halve again in the next decade. 

“The volume of gas in existing fields combined with shrinking gas demand for domestic electricity generation means that existing reserves are enough.”

Solutions for Climate Australia has partnered with the Labor Environment Action Network to help decision makers and the public see through gas industry spin.

Labor Environment Action Network, National Co-convenor, Felicity Wade:

“Labor’s National Policy Platform acknowledges the need to reduce emissions from the gas industry, and we wanted to be really clear about the truth that Australia will need less and less gas to keep the lights on.

“This data tells us that Australia's future domestic needs can be met without opening new gas fields. The best option for Australia's energy security and for the global climate is to continue to invest even more in the renewable energy superpower agenda.”

Solutions for Climate Australian deputy director Sophia Walter:

“The gas industry has spun us a story but it’s a furphy: this is hard data showing Australia has used and will use less and less gas for electricity.

“It’s clearer than ever that we need to accelerate the replacement of climate polluting fossil fuel gas and coal with renewable energy.”

ENDS

For interview:

Director of Springmount Advisory, Tom Quinn: 0400515726

Deputy Director of Solutions for Climate Australia, Sophia Walter: 0476 260 028.