Bioenergy Roadmap Submission
Helmont Energy was incredibly pleased to make a submission to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (‘ARENA’) Bioenergy Roadmap (‘the Roadmap’) on 10 June 2020. We were also grateful to have received in-principle support for our submission from the Western Downs Regional Council.
Our objectives and specific recommendations in the submission provide the opportunity to substantially increase demand for bioenergy, mitigate feedstock supply risk and create a vibrant bioenergy sector in Australia.
Our broad objectives include:
Commoditise biomethane to maximise market demand
Increase the availability of secure feedstocks
Export bioenergy to international markets
We also advocated strongly for our proposed gas swap model, which will open the market significantly.
Australia has the skills and natural resources to use proven and emerging bioenergy technology as part of the transition to a low carbon future and to create economic diversity. Bioenergy can be used in all sectors, including non-electricity sectors such as transport, gas and agriculture. It is a reliable energy source that can utilise waste, directly benefits Australia’s regional communities, has zero-carbon emissions, and even has the potential to sequester significant amounts of carbon back into soils.
Taking from examples from established global markets, we believe that policy that sets bioenergy targets, through the creation of a market, will help bioenergy realise its full value. Policy should be open to participation by any form of bioenergy, irrespective of the technology utilized in its production. This will allow innovation and cost efficiencies to be realised.
To read our submission, please click here.
If you would like to get in contact about our policy position, including the gas swap model, please contact us.