IEEFA Australia: Investing in renewable energy will repower aluminium and heavy industry sectors
15 September 2020 (IEEFA Australia) – Australia’s failing aluminium sector could move to low-cost, zero-emissions electricity and invest in plant modernisation to support demand response management supplying local heavy industry, according to a new report from the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
Putting a lens on the industrial energy demand hub of Gladstone in Central Queensland, author Clark Butler concludes the area could become a model for sustainable heavy industry, centred on demand driven by the local aluminium smelter Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL).
“Sustainable heavy industry is a key opportunity for investment, jobs and growth,” says Butler.
“With the aluminium sector failing, now is the time to reimagine Australian industry and to put it on a path to sustainability.”
The future of Australia’s aluminium sector is in jeopardy, with the cost of electricity a major obstacle to the industry’s global competitiveness (BSL is Queensland’s largest power consumer). Australia is also one of the world’s most emissions-intensive aluminium producers.
“ABOUT 4,500 JOBS ARE VULNERABLE if the Gladstone region’s heavy industry cannot compete internationally,” says Butler.
“Australia’s aluminium sector is particularly interesting right now because it is failing, with both smelter operators losing money and considering closure.
“This failure is linked to their enormous electricity demand which has historically been tied to Australia’s largely fossil fuel-based electricity generation.
“But instead of closing the smelters, the aluminium sector could move to low-cost, zero-emissions electricity and invest in plant upgrades to support demand response management, and profit from the long-term growth by value-adding in metals and industrial processing markets.”
Gladstone has four major hydrogen projects in the planning stages
Butler found that if electricity could be generated and delivered to Gladstone at A$40-50/megawatt hour (MWh) this would support increased export competitiveness and jobs growth, not just in aluminium but in all of Gladstone’s heavy industry sectors, including cement, and help establish a platform for a new green hydrogen industry.
“Gladstone has four major hydrogen projects in the planning stages and has a number of competitive advantages when it comes to developing a green hydrogen industry: World class solar energy, available land, a major export port and an established energy exports industry,” says Butler.
“It is also well located geographically to supply green hydrogen to potential hydrogen-importing countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.”
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STRONG REASONS FOR FOCUSING ON TRANSFORMING GLADSTONE NOW, says Butler.
“COVID-19 has focused attention on investment for recovery, and supply chain security is a key theme.
COVID-19 has focused attention on investment for recovery
“Also, the Queensland government will be establishing three renewable energy zones which creates an opportunity to repower the region’s key heavy industries at sustainably lower cost.
“Finally, aluminium is one of several foundational industries that could fail or prosper depending on electricity costs. Manufacturing has already taken a heavy blow from high electricity costs in Australia.”
Butler says the Gladstone plan could be a template for expansion across the aluminium sector, and is also applicable to Victoria and New South Wales.
“By focusing on large scale, low cost of capital, zero-emissions renewable infrastructure tied to significant energy users with long-term growth prospects in a low-carbon economy, there is a real chance to build momentum.”
Full report: An Aluminium-led Energy & Industry Renewal for Central Queensland
Author Contact: Clark Butler ([email protected])
Media Contact: Kate Finlayson ([email protected]) +61 418 254 237
About IEEFA: The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) examines issues related to energy markets, trends and policies. The Institute’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy.
