- Cook Government releases inaugural carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) Action Plan
- $26 million to support two Western Australian CCUS projects
- CCUS vital to tackling climate change and supporting local jobs
The Cook Labor Government is positioning Western Australia as a world leader in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), today releasing the State’s first CCUS Action Plan and announcing $26 million towards two CCUS projects.
CCUS technologies capture and store, or make use of, carbon dioxide emissions from industrial activities and will play a critical role in hard-to-abate industries globally.
WA has numerous CCUS projects proposed for development over the next decade, with an initial combined capacity to store over 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year – around a quarter of WA’s current scope one emissions.
The Action Plan aims to enhance policy certainty, attract further investment into the State, and accelerate the deployment of proven technology and infrastructure – leveraging WA’s existing infrastructure, highly skilled workforce and suitable geological formations.
It also supports the development of new and emerging CCUS technology.
To support the plan, the Cook Government has today announced a $26 million funding boost through the Investment Attraction Fund towards two CCUS projects.
A $15 million grant will support AGIG to develop an onshore transmission pipeline for an offshore multi-user CCS hub in the Pilbara.
The project will help transport carbon dioxide from facilities on the Burrup into depleted gas fields, sequestering up to five million tonnes of carbon dioxide in its first phases.
Another $11 million grant will support Mitsui E&P Australia and Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers develop the Cygnus CCS Hub in the Mid West, proposed to initially store around 530 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide per annum from the Waitsia Gas Plant and Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers’ CSBP ammonia plant in Kwinana in a depleted gas reservoir.
Development of the Action Plan was a key commitment under the Western Australian Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy, released in December 2023, and was informed by the LNG Jobs Taskforce, industry, research organisations, regional representatives and government agencies.
The CCUS Action Plan is available at Carbon capture, utilisation and storage: Action Plan .
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“My Government is delivering on our clean energy plan to create local jobs, tackle climate change and set up our State for the future.
“CCUS will play an important role for hard-to-abate industries, and we’re positioning WA as a world-leader in CCUS technology.
“WA has the skills, the infrastructure and the natural features to attract major global investment into CCUS, helping to diversify our economy, create local jobs and supporting our low-carbon future.”
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael:
“WA is ready to launch a new industry to help industry to decarbonise.
“This year the Cook Government passed a Bill to enable the transport and injection of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Industry stakeholders are now working closely with Government to develop and finalise the regulations governing how CCUS will operate in WA.
“CCUS is recognised as being part of the decarbonisation mix to reach net zero.”
