Clean coal technology holds key to climate change response

Queensland is on the front foot in the development of clean coal technology, Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said today.

Mr Wilson told the Queensland Power Conference in Brisbane that Queensland was at the cutting edge of global clean coal technology development.

“The Queensland Government’s climate change strategy, ClimateSmart 2050, will lead our response, headlined by a $1.3 billion joint Government-industry investment in clean coal,” Mr Wilson said.

“Three projects are already under way in Queensland investigating clean coal technologies such as carbon capture and storage – the Callide A Oxy-fuel Demonstration Project at Biloela, the Fairview Power Project and Zerogen, a world first demonstration plant near Rockhampton.

“These cutting edge technologies have the potential to deliver deep cuts in emissions.

“They will not only stabilise our own greenhouse gas emissions, but will provide technologies we can export to the world,” he said.

Mr Wilson said Queensland was pursuing other avenues in its climate change response including support for the further development of gas.

“Gas is a real alternative as a transitional generation source,” Mr Wilson said.

“Gas produces up to 50 percent fewer emissions than a typical coal-fired power station.

“From a zero base in 1998, an entire industry has developed around coal seam gas.

“It is now a major driver of jobs and investment in our state,” he said.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332