Striking a balance between net-zero targets and energy security is a must, says WoodMac

Australia needs to strike a balance between net-zero targets and energy security, says WoodMac

With prices soaring 400 per cent, Wood Mackenzie, an energy intelligence group, points out that the Australian energy crisis has highlighted the need for a new gas supply, challenging the government to find the delicate balance between energy security and net-zero goals.

Illustration; Source: Wood Mackenzie

Wood Mackenzie said on Monday that the Australian east coast energy prices skyrocketed earlier this year as a winter cold snap sent gas, coal, and electricity to record-highs, triggering price caps in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne at AUD$40/Gigajoule (around $27/million British thermal units (BTU)), around 400 per cent above the normal AUD$8-10/GJ (about $5.6 – 9.4) price range.

Daniel Toleman, Wood Mackenzie Principal Analyst, Global LNG, remarked: “This recent crisis was caused by a perfect storm of under-investment in new energy supplies, as well as cold weather hitting at the same time as coal outages and supply shortages, low renewable generation and high global commodity prices. It was an incredible combination that pushed the market to the breaking point. LNG suppliers stepped in to divert gas to areas that needed it, but the situation did highlight the need for new sources of energy supply to meet current and future demand.”

According to the energy intelligence provider, this situation highlights the delicate scenario in which the need for new gas sources must be balanced against government attempts to meet net-zero goals as this situation came amidst efforts from many governments, including Australia, to transition to a net-zero economy.

Lucy Cullen, Wood Mackenzie Principal Analyst, Global Gas, commented: “To manage the Australian east coast energy balance, the federal government needs to walk a bit of a tightrope. After this winter’s energy crisis, prioritising Australian gas resources for Australian consumers is very much in the spotlight. But the government also needs to manage new gas projects and gas supply including those of the LNG projects.”

Furthermore, WoodMac underlines that Australia requires gas for both power generation as well as other industrial uses including mineral processing, mining, chemical production, and fertiliser.

“For the Australian east coast, future gas projects are critical to meeting domestic demand keep prices in check. With LNG imports, one of the solutions, now likely delayed until at least the mid-2020s, the government should look to support new fast-to-market gas projects. Another solution could be a behavioural change that can reduce demand in peak periods,” added Toleman.

Moreover, Wood Mackenzie outlines that the Australian Domestic Gas Security Measure (ADGSM) is currently in place to ensure a sufficient amount of natural gas is in place to meet domestic demands.

“While the ADGSM offers some assurance to the domestic markets, implementation of any domestic market obligation mechanism must balance investor concerns and must not be counterproductive by discouraging future gas developments and investment. The government must keep these factors in mind as it reviews the ADGSM ahead of its year-end expiry,” stated Cullen.

Bearing all this in mind, Wood Mackenzie underscores that the challenge for many governments worldwide will be to find a balance between providing energy security at the same time as decarbonising energy systems to meet net-zero emissions by 2050.

“To meet net-zero targets, Australia undoubtedly requires renewable energy. But it also requires gas and LNG to ensure affordable and reliable energy throughout the energy transition,” concluded Toleman