World-first clean coal program

A world first demonstration power plant proposal in Central Queensland has taken a major step forward.

Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson, told State Parliament today that the government-owned Stanwell Corporation had just launched an Environmental Impact Study into the ground-breaking project.

“The ZeroGen project will be the first in the world to integrate the technologies of coal gasification and carbon capture and storage, to produce baseload electricity with low CO₂ emissions,” Mr Wilson said.

“It could capture and store up to 420,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, and that’s the equivalent of taking 93,000 cars off the road,” he said.

The Minister said the Zerogen project would create up to 700 jobs in the construction phase and up to 150 permanent jobs during its operation.

“The project has the potential to achieve deep cuts in CO₂ emissions,” Mr Wilson said.

“Coal gasification is the cleanest method for converting coal’s energy potential into electricity.

“Carbon capture and storage is an innovative technology that allows carbon dioxide to be safely stored underground, reducing greenhouse emissions.

“Under this proposal, the CO₂ will be piped underground through Central Queensland to a site near Springsure.

“Stanwell proposes to store the CO₂ underground in saline aquifers in what’s called the Northern Denison Trough. Mind you, all of this is subject to the Environmental Impact Study.

“This area has been identified as an ideal test site because the sedimentary basin has successfully trapped natural gas and naturally-occurring CO₂ for millions of years.

“If Stanwell’s ZeroGen project gets the green light, it will be a major coup for the SmartState, for the coal industry and for the environment,” he said.

Media Inquiries: Brooke Johnson 0400 011 168