Premier announces energy strategy at BOC LNG plant opening in Queensland.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has announced a commitment to new alternative transport fuels at BOC’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant opening near Chinchilla.
Gas company BOC says that the plant will cost in excess of $200 million over 15 years, and is expected to produce up to 50 tonnes of LNG per day – the equivalent of 70,000 litres of diesel.
The plant will liquefy the natural gas that is to be supplied by QGC, turning it into LNG so that it’s suitable for the trucking, manufacturing, mining and industries.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman officially opened the plant and used the occasion to announce a new Queensland fuel and energy strategy that will be implemented if he is re-elected.
The plan will give energy companies access to a $500 million innovation fund as an incentive to invest in clean energy and create jobs.
The premier also announced that he will review regulations so as to support the growth of LNG and CNG fuels.
BOC managing director Colin Isaac says that the plant heralds a new era for cleaner fuel in Queensland.
“This plant marks the start of a new industry for Queensland, giving local and interstate manufacturing, off-grid electricity generation and heavy transport users the opportunity to switch to LNG, an environmentally cleaner fuel than current alternatives,” Isaac says.
Gas Energy Australia CEO Mike Carmody has welcomed the announcement from both BOC and Newman.
“The BOC plant will provide cleaner, cheaper LNG fuel for a range of uses including domestic manufacturing, mining, power generation and transport,” he says.
“I congratulate BOC for making this investment in a cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy future for Australia.”
Gas Energy Australia says that trucks running on LNG produce up to 25 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions whilst being 25 to 30 per cent less expensive than diesel.