The Western Australian Government has released its carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Action Plan, highlighting the role of the technology in achieving Net Zero emissions.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) has welcomed the announcement, which is seen as a major step in encouraging investment in hard-to-abate sectors such as LNG processing, ammonia, cement, and iron and steel.
Rebecca Tomkinson, Chief Executive Officer of CME, praised the plan for addressing the challenges of decarbonising the economy while maintaining energy security, employment, and living standards.
“The Net Zero challenge we face is huge. We need to decarbonise our economy in less than a generation while still maintaining energy security, jobs and our enviable standard of living,” Tomkinson stated.
“Achieving that goal will require every tool at our disposal. CCUS is one of those tools – and an especially valuable one in a State blessed with the natural geology to safely store carbon dioxide underground or under the seabed.”
The release of the Action Plan follows legislative advancements earlier this year, with WA’s State Parliament passing laws to enable the expanded use of CCUS technologies. CME has been a longstanding advocate for a supportive regulatory and legislative framework, including through its role on the LNG Taskforce.
Tomkinson stressed the urgency of swift action, calling for collaboration between government, industry and communities to accelerate the development of CCUS projects.
“There is an urgent need for effective and rapid work between government, industry and communities to identify opportunities and drive collaboration to deliver new projects,” she said.
She also warned that WA risks losing investment to regions with stronger policy support for CCUS, such as the US, Europe and the Middle East.
“The scale and extent of policy support for CCUS in other jurisdictions – including the US, Europe and Middle East – means failure to act quickly risks WA playing catch up as investment goes elsewhere,” she added.
Tomkinson also called for national alignment, urging the Australian Government to mirror WA’s approach by recognising the role of CCUS in hard-to-abate sectors and implementing policies that provide clear signals to investors.
Australia is intensifying its focus on CCUS to meet its Net Zero emissions targets. Led by Chevron, the Gorgon Project in Western Australia, has stored over 9 million tonnes of CO2 since commencing CO2 injections in 2019, aiming for an annual injection rate of 3.4 to 4 million tonnes.
Another major project is Moomba CCS in South Australia, operated by Santos and Beach Energy. This project began CO2 injections on 30 September 2024, with a target of storing 1.7 million tonnes per annum.
