Tackling climate change with a Queensland first

Tarong Energy has joined forces with CSIRO on a pilot project to capture greenhouse gases at the state’s biggest power station, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Minister Wilson said the $5 million carbon capture pilot was a first for Queensland and had the potential to capture around 1500 tonnes of CO² emissions a year.

“It’s an exciting project. It’s about the Bligh Government taking Queenslanders into the future with strong, smart, green solutions,” Mr Wilson said.

“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing Queensland and the world. While we push ahead with renewable energy solutions and gas-fired power, coal will continue to play an important role in providing our power.

“In just 12 months, the Premier’s high-powered Clean Coal Council has helped spearhead the drive to develop clean coal technologies. Sir Nicholas Stern said clean coal could be our gift to the world. But we must all work together – governments, industry, scientists and the community.

“If it’s left to governments alone it will never work. Climate change is the responsibility of all of us,” he said.

The Minister said a post combustion pilot plant would be built at Tarong power station, the state’s biggest power station.

“The pilot project is expected to demonstrate how to capture carbon dioxide at a large plant like Tarong. It’s part of a broader research program to find ways to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector,” he said.

The two year project will start immediately. The pilot plant is expected to be up and running in the first half of next year.

“This is about combining our intellectual and policy firepower, and working with industry towards a cleaner, greener energy future. It’s Q2 at its smartest,” he said.

“Post-combustion carbon capture offers real potential for coal-fired power stations everywhere to reduce their carbon footprint.

“We all know that coal will continue to play a role in the global electricity mix, well into the future. And that’s simply because we have over 32 billion tonnes of high-quality, low cost, easily accessible black coal, sufficient to last more than 300 years.

“Our key challenge is to use it in a responsible, smarter and environmentally-sustainable way. The Bligh Government is showing real leadership in tackling climate change. We’re leading Queenslanders towards Q2 and a better, brighter future,” he said.

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