Insight into current state of bioenergy sought for Australian roadmap

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency is calling for submissions to inform its Renewable Energy Roadmap, with a deadline in late-May.

As reported by @AuManufacturing in November, ARENA has been tasked by energy minister Angus Taylor to begin development of the roadmap, beginning with consultation from leading industry stakeholders, then the broader public, then expected finalisation by mid-2020.

Focus areas would include economic opportunities – especially in regions – as well as the potential for decarbonisation of industry and transport, existing competitive advantage within Australia, regulatory impediments, and clear findings to act on. Bioenergy is sourced from organic and renewable materials (biomass) which can be processed into heat, electricity, biogas and liquid fuels.

The roadmap is being developed with assistance from ENEA Consulting and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

“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,” said Darren Miller, CEO of AREA, which has invested approximately $118 million in bioenergy projects in the last eight years.

“It will also be an important input into the Australian Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap which will be released for public consultation soon.

Australia’s energy mix is approximately 4 per cent bioenergy, according to ARENA, versus 7 per cent in OECD nations and 10 per cent in Europe.

Further information can be found and submissions lodged here. The deadline for lodging is 5pm AEST on Friday 29 May. The report will be delivered to Taylor “later this year.”

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.