Queensland triple-play in low-emission future

Queensland’s reputation as a global centre for low-emission power technology development has been confirmed with today’s announcement of the state’s third major carbon capture project, Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said today.

Tarong Energy’s partnership with CSIRO in a pilot project to capture post-combustion emissions from the state’s biggest coal-fired power station near Kingaroy has established Queensland as one of the world’s leading innovation centres for ‘new generation’ electricity production.

‘Alongside the Callide oxy-fuel and ZeroGen projects in central Queensland, the Tarong project will contribute significantly to a growing pool of Australian knowledge and experience that could greatly improve the environmental performance of the world’s most abundant energy fuel,’ Mr Roche said.

‘Tarong Energy and CSIRO are to be congratulated for their initiative, particularly as the commercial application of this technology to existing coal-fired power stations would help secure a current $40 billion taxpayer investment.

‘The most exciting aspect of today’s announcement is that three of the world’s most promising low-emission technology innovations have found homes in Queensland.

‘That’s good news for the state’s economic outlook as a major supplier of energy coal – and potentially natural gas – to meet rapidly expanding demand in developing countries.

‘It’s also good news for Queensland’s intellectual capacity, as projects of this nature continue to attract the brightest minds from Australia and overseas,’ Mr Roche said.

Queensland’s black coal industry is the largest supporter of low-emission power generation technology development in Australia, committing $600 million over the next decade from a voluntary levy to support the demonstration of large-scale carbon capture and storage projects.

The industry’s COAL21 Fund is being partnered by the Queensland and Australian Governments and private sector companies.

Media contact
Jim Devine, Director Communications (07) 3295 9560 or (0412) 190 021

	CSIRO media statement

	Queensland Government media statement