Woodside Energy has cleared a major hurdle in its battle to continue operating a massive gas plant in Australia’s northwest.
The company has been given environmental approval by the West Australian government for operation until 2070 after six years of assessments and hundreds of appeals against it.
“This is a critical step in the approvals process to underpin the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf Project so it can continue to deliver a reliable supply of energy locally and globally,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.
WA’s decision recommences the federal environmental approvals process, which was paused while appeals were being considered.
It’s also caused frustration and anger among conservationists, climate change activists, politicians and a think tank.
WA Greens MP Brad Pettitt said the project was one of the largest and most polluting fossil fuel projects in the nation.
“Allowing the Karratha gas plant to operate for 50 more years – 20 years past Australia’s legislated commitment to reach net zero emissions – will result in billions of tonnes of climate pollution being released into the atmosphere over the next few decades,” he said.
Australian Institute advisor Mark Ogge said the decision would be a disaster for the climate, energy prices and Aboriginal rock art on the Burrup Peninsula.
He said the 4.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions expected across the life of the project – the equivalent of 24 coal power stations – World Heritage nominated Murujuga rock art sites would continue to be eroded.
It’s also expected to lead to higher energy prices for WA households and businesses.
“Woodside is running out of offshore gas, so it is coming after WA’s onshore domestic reserves,” Mr Ogge said.
“This has already tripled gas and electricity prices in WA, and this decision will lock those price increases for decades.”
WA opposition leader Shane Love said the six-year approval time had undermined confidence in WA’s gas industry and put our energy future at risk.
“It is now crucial that the Albanese Labor Government acts swiftly to approve the project without further delay,” he said.
Greenpeace said the decision was a “kick in the guts” and called on federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reject the project’s application.
“Today’s irresponsible decision to endorse more polluting fossil fuels during a climate crisis threatens communities across Australia who are already suffering from worsening climate-fuelled disasters and extreme weather,” campaign leader Geoff Bice said.
WA Conservation Council said the WA government had failed the community and future generations.
“This is a monumentally destructive decision by ((WA Environment) Minister Reece Whitby,” Fossil Fuels Program Manager Anna Chapman said.
“It means that the Kimberley is at increased risk of fracking, and that the pristine Scott Reef off the Kimberley coast is at greater risk of destruction from Woodside’s Browse gas plans.”
The project was previously given WA environmental approval in 2000 to operate for 30-plus years.
Under the new approval, Woodside agreed to a range of environmental management measures.
These included a significant reduction in air emissions and greenhouse gas emissions management action to reduce emissions over time.
The North West Shelf Project is one of the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the world and includes the Karratha Gas Plant, about 1500km north of Perth, and three offshore platforms.
It started operating in 1984 and has paid more than $40 billion in royalties and excise and created thousands of jobs.
It has also supplied more than 6000 petajoules of domestic gas for homes and industry, which is enough power for every home in Perth for about 175 years.
