Minister to discuss clean coal collaborations in China
Monday, April 7, 2008
Minister for Energy and Resources
Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor will meet with high-level delegates from China and Australia this week to discuss clean energy and in particular clean coal.
“It is important that developed and developing nations work together to tackle climate change and identify practical steps to making real cuts in greenhouse emissions, while securing energy sources for future generations,” Mr Batchelor said.
Mr Batchelor will present at The Global Foundation China-Australia Dialogue on Clean Energy in Beijing on Wednesday, which will be attended by the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and leading business representatives from the energy sector in China and Australia.
“China, like Victoria, has abundant brown coal resources and this trip will provide a valuable opportunity to engage with China on how we can both utilise our brown coal reserves in a clean and sustainable manner,” Mr Batchelor said.
“Victoria has brown coal reserves which at current consumption levels could supply our energy needs for 500 years. It is vital that we develop strong partnerships with countries such as China that have similar brown coal resources to ensure we can work together to harness new technologies which will ensure these resources can be sustainably developed.
“Victoria’s vast coal resources in the Latrobe Valley are vital for our energy security and continued economic growth. Both Victoria and China are technology innovation leaders and this trip will allow me to highlight some of the exciting world-leading clean coal projects currently underway in Victoria.”
Mr Batchelor said that by forging strong relations with China, it is hoped further projects similar to the Integrated Drying Gasification Combined Cycle project can be developed.
“The joint venture planned for the Latrobe Valley, between leading Chinese firm Harbin Power Equipment Company and Victorian energy technology company HRL, will see the development of the world’s largest commercial scale clean coal technology plant,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The Brumby Government is taking action now to meet the climate change challenge and has committed $50 million to this project, which is just one example of our commitment to developing new clean coal technologies.
“The Brumby Government is also inviting international investment in developing technologies for other high-value uses of brown coal, such producing diesel fuel, ammonia, petrochemicals and hydrogen.”
In addition to the Dialogue on Clean Energy conference, Mr Batchelor will also meet with the National Development and Reform Commission, the government of Jilin Province, the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources, Austrade representatives and potential investors in Victorian brown coal.
