On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has started to develop a Bioenergy Roadmap and is now seeking from stakeholders in Australia’s bioenergy sector on how the country can build its bioenergy sector and strengthen its energy security.
A consortium of ENEA Consulting and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has been appointed to assist in delivering the Bioenergy Roadmap, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2020.
The Bioenergy Roadmap will focus on quantifying the economic opportunities for Australia, including a focus on regional Australia, and assessing the potential for biofuels to decarbonise the industrial and transport sectors and contribute more broadly to Australia’s liquid fuel security.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the Roadmap will also seek to identify economic or regulatory impediments to future growth, and to provide clear findings for industry and government to help inform the next stage of development of the sector.
“The development of the Bioenergy Roadmap presents an opportunity to allow industry leaders, researchers and the public to provide insight into the current state of bioenergy in Australia and how best we can grow the sector in the future,” Mr Miller said.
“It will also be an important input into the Australian Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap which will be released for public consultation soon.”
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Australia has a unique opportunity to grow bioenergy which currently accounts for around four per cent of Australia’s current energy mix compared to around seven per cent in some other OECD countries.
Bioenergy has the potential to grow as a future energy source in Australia, providing dispatchable energy while at the same time improving our fuel security and playing a role in reducing emissions,” Minister Taylor continued.
“With the appropriate settings and pathways, the bioenergy sector can provide many benefits for Australia such as safeguarding soil and water quality and making productive use of waste resources. Significantly, a strong bioenergy industry can also help to support our local farmers and bring more economic growth for regional areas.”
