WA will fail to achieve net-zero by 2050, Woodside-funded report warns

A new report finds that the proposed Browse gas project would help WA's energy security in meeting net-zero. (ABC News: Charlie Mclean) WA will fail to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 under its current trajectory, according to modelling commissioned by gas giant Woodside Energy. The modelling found solar, wind and battery projects would need to be deployed at "unprecedented" rates to achieve the target, with or without the Browse project going ahead. Australia is bound by federal legislation to reach net-zero by 2050, but WA and the Northern Territory are the only jurisdictions without their own targets to reduce emissions before then. Link copiedShareShare articleWestern Australia will fail to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 on its current trajectory, according to modelling commissioned by gas giant Woodside. The report by Deloitte Access Economics found Australia's largest-ever gas project — Woodside's proposed multi-billion dollar offshore Browse facility — would help strengthen WA's energy security in the transition to net-zero, by providing a reliable source of energy as renewables are deployed. But solar, wind and battery projects would need to be deployed at "unprecedented" rates in a sustained acceleration over decades to achieve the net-zero by 2050 target, with or without the Browse project, the report found. "The Net Zero by 2050 without Browse scenario is highly ambitious relative to historical rates of renewable energy deployment," the report said. "It will require a pace of change that is well beyond what has been delivered across the past decade." The Deloitte modelling suggests WA would need to roll out renewables at 11 times historical rates to reach net-zero by 2050. (Supplied) The modelling suggested without Browse, WA would need to roll out renewables at 11 times historical rates to reach net-zero by 2050 — a trajectory that "compresses what would have been decades of infrastructure development into a much shorter period". "A renewable deployment rate five times larger than historical rates will only reduce emissions by circa 50 per cent by 2050, irrespective of whether Browse proceeds," the report said. Deloitte used several key assumptions in its projections, including that emissions reductions were enforced by a cap on total emissions each year, and that the majority of the state's coal-fired electricity generation was phased out by 2030. The report found Browse itself would not significantly change where WA's emissions would end up by 2050. "In both scenarios, electrification and the transition to renewable electricity generation drive the energy transition," the report said. Australia is bound by federal legislation to reach net-zero by 2050, but every jurisdiction except WA and the Northern Territory also has their own targets to reduce emissions before then. Forget the environmental concerns. These financial analysts say economics will likely sink the project. The ABC last week revealed the WA government was abandoning its own plans to introduce those interim targets. Premier Roger Cook maintained his government was committed to the 2050 goal, but admitted WA's emissions may continue to rise in the short term. But asked in parliament on Tuesday about when the state's emissions would begin to decrease to reach net-zero, cabinet minister Stephen Dawson said those projections were "cabinet in confidence". Instead of the interim emissions targets, the state government is planning to introduce targets for renewable energy generation, carbon capture and storage, and green exports. The Deloitte report said the scale of renewables rollout required to achieve net-zero by 2050 would have "significant delivery, coordination and system integration challenges". "In this context, Browse gas provides an additional source of energy that helps mitigate these constraints," the report said. Liz Westcott says the report highlights the Browse project's potential to support Australia's energy needs. (ABC News: Courtney Withers) Woodside CEO Liz Westcott said the report highlighted Browse's potential to support the country's long-term energy needs. "Browse is Australia's biggest undeveloped offshore gas resource and represents a major opportunity for the nation at a time where energy security matters more than ever," she said. Public consultation is opening on proposed changes Woodside says will minimise the environmental impact of its Browse gas plan. The Greens say the company is being "deceitful". This is what you need to know. "Independent modelling shows Browse has the potential to power homes and businesses, support thousands of Australian jobs and generate significant revenue for governments while also helping to manage the risks and costs of the energy transition." The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) refuted the report's findings as a "smoke screen" designed to hide the Browse project's economic and environmental costs. "Woodside has commissioned a report tha

WA will fail to achieve net-zero by 2050, Woodside-funded report warns

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