Given that both major political parties had committed to some form of emissions trading scheme, it is important that the benefits of natural gas in Australia’s clean, green future are recognised and understood.

APIA is very much aware of the need to move towards clean energy technologies to meet the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Australia has a diversity of available primary power sources including a range of renewable energy sources, fossil fuels and uranium. It is anticipated that improved energy efficiency, renewable energy and improved fossil fuel technologies will be key features of Australia’s future energy mix.

One of APIA’s key priorities is to ensure that the gas transmission industry is not disadvantaged in the rush to promote and fund renewable energy sources.

The political debate has focused on renewable energy and clean coal technology with little prominence given to the benefits of natural gas. As the industry knows, natural gas is a viable short to medium-term alternative for base-load power generation. It could be considered in the longer term, as it could remain economically – as well as environmentally – competitive with renewable energy sources.

The cost of using natural gas for power generation, while higher than the cost of using coal, is much less than the cost of available renewable and ‘clean coal’ technologies. Also, natural gas uses far less water than does coal-fired energy generation.

Without adequate recognition and encouragement by government, the infrastructure required to provide natural gas when demand increases might be delayed. This outcome could leave Australia struggling to fulfil commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if the optimistic forecasts for renewables and clean coal technology are not realised.

APIA is also monitoring the opportunities available as new technologies continue to be developed. The gas transmission industry is well placed to participate in the development of carbon capture and storage (geosequestration) strategies. Clean technologies could be expanded to cover natural gas power generation emissions. Also, the industry already has the skills available for pipeline planning and construction and waste-product management.

The increasing focus by government on water resources will also continue to provide opportunities for pipeliners.

Meeting the water needs of growing populations and industry is a challenge governments are finally facing up to. Notably, the Queensland Government is working to secure a sustainable water supply for the populous south east of that state. An ambitious ‘water highway’ is being developed, along with a regional water grid.

The Southern Regional Water Pipeline, to be completed in 2008, is intended to provide a bulk fresh water supply network between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, linking the major councils of Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Beaudesert, and the Gold Coast. The 100 km long pipeline is being built with reverse flow capacity to ensure that water can be distributed to the most drought affected areas. A partnership of pipeline engineering specialists is overseeing the planning, design and construction of the pipeline.

In addition to Queensland’s desalination plant being built at Tugun on the Gold Coast, the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme is under development. This scheme is heralded as the largest recycled water scheme to be constructed in Australia. The scheme will involve building a pipeline from six wastewater treatment plants in Brisbane and Ipswich to take recycled water to industry and agriculture. It is claimed the scheme will be capable of delivering up to 95 million litres of recycled water per day from Brisbane to power stations and, more controversially, could provide up to 115 million litres per day for other uses, such as replenishing dams with purified recycled water.

In Victoria, the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project is shaping up as one of the state’s largest water infrastructure projects. The project is intended to provide an improved water supply system for western Victoria that meets the needs of the region for the next 100 years. The proposed pipeline system will reticulate water to about 9,000 rural property service points and 36 towns and will replace an existing open channel system.