Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) have published the Gas Vision 2050 update, which identified key actions to transition Australia’s gas networks to net zero emissions in line with global and national targets.
ENA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dillon, said the best way to achieve net-zero was to repurpose existing gas pipelines and networks to allow clean renewable hydrogen and biomethane and develop the renewable electricity grid.
“There is no single best pathway to decarbonise. This report shows that the size of the energy transformation demands a mix of solutions including electrification and renewable gas. This gives us diversity of energy supply and retains customer choice,” Mr Dillon said.
Mr Dillon said the challenge will be to find the right mix of solutions to reach net-zero emissions in a way that will ensure the reliability and security of the energy systems, and minimise costs so power bills either stay the same, or are reduced.
APGA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Davies, said gas transmission pipeline and distribution network businesses were transitioning to renewable gas.
Mr Davies called the decarbonisation of gas the fastest path to net-zero.
“Gas infrastructure businesses are adopting ambitious internal targets to reach net-zero emissions, some by 2040, and major progress has been made towards providing renewable gas to customers,” Mr Davies said.
Gas Vision 2050 is the gas industry’s plan to lower carbon emissions in line with the aims of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
