FACT 1

Like coal, gas is used to make electricity. But, gas produces far fewer greenhouse gas emissions when used to generate electricity. ^{1, 2}

The share of gas-fired power generation in Australia’s electricity mix more than doubled between 2000-01 and 20-21. ³

Gas is also used for ‘firming’, backing up renewables to keep the lights on when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow, and then scaling back when renewables are operating at higher capacity.

“…We will need an all technology, hands on deck approach. That includes a large increase in permanent carbon storage, deep underground and in vegetation, and a doubling of gas-fired power capacity to support renewables and energy storage”. ⁴

The cleaner energy future relies on reliable energy today.

This website is an initiative of Australian Energy Producers

¹ Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market, Dr Alan Finkel AO (2017
² The Role of Gas in Today’s Energy Transitions, International Energy Agency (2019)
³ Australian Energy Update 2022, Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, September, Canberra
⁴ Net Zero Australia, media release, Professor Michael Brear, Director of the Melbourne Energy Institute, University of Melbourne