Japan's Isogo power station uses 2 million tonnes of Australian coal every year, accounting for 75% of its total coal usage. There is debate around building new high-efficiency, low-emissions (HELE) coal power stations in Australia. Supporters argue it could provide reliable base load power at a lower cost than renewables. Critics argue that even HELE coal produces carbon emissions and renewable energy is now cheaper to build with no fuel costs. Politicians and industry groups disagree on the best approach for Australia's energy mix and reducing emissions.

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4. Japan’s Isogo power station
uses 2 million tonnes of
Australian coal every year,
which is 75 per cent of its
total usage.

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6. The Obstacles for HELE Power
• Coal is a “dirty word”
• Storage technology for renewables is improving
• Approval process likely to be challenging
• Who would invest
• Public confused and don’t understand subsidies and supply
issues for renewables
• Does not have bipartisan support
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7. The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
Treasurer of Australia
“While the solar and wind capabilities are being built up in
many countries, this could meet the electricity demand until
those technologies and batteries and grids are strengthened”.
"Coal could meet those demands until that's done and
finished."
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8. The Climate Institute
“Important to remember that even though HELE
power stations produced a reduced amount of
carbon, it was not zero.”
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9. Amanda McKenzie
Climate Council Chief Executive
“Australia's energy system was old and inefficient and
investment in new power plants was necessary.”
"Building any new power plant will have costs,"
"Renewable energy is now cheaper to build than new coal
plants and has no fuel costs, because the sun and the wind are
free.”
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10. Geoff Chambers
The Australian
“The construction of a new high-efficiency, low emissions coal-
fired power station, being considered by the Turnbull
government, would cost $2.2 billion — considerably less than
the $3bn of subsidies handed out to renewable projects each
year, a new technical study shows.”
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11. The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP
Prime Minister of Australia
“I’ve said in the past that I think that, as Australia is the largest
seaborne exporter of coal, it would be good if we had a state-
of-the-art, clean-coal power station in Australia,”
“But that’s not to say that the federal government should be
building it or would be building it.”
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12. The Hon. Matthew Canavan MP
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia
“Coal has an important role to play as
Australia and the rest of the world
reduce carbon dioxide emissions…
Australia has the resources to be a
low-cost and efficient energy
superpower.”
“Access to affordable and reliable power underpins our
economy and is the key to long-term jobs in the manufacturing
sector.”
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13. The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP
Minister for the Environment
“Clean-coal technology is being used throughout Asia, with
more than 700 so-called clean-coal power stations built in
India.”
"Australia, as the biggest coal exporter in the world, should be
looking at how we can roll out similar technologies."
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14. Ian Macfarlane
Chief Executive Officer Queensland Resource
Council
“Just by building another coal-fired power
plant doesn’t mean we can’t meet that
renewables target.”
“I had discussions about HELE stations while I was in Japan –
every other country is building them but us.”
“Otherwise we’re condemning North Queensland to higher
electricity prices.”
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15. Brendan Pearson
Chief Executive Minerals Council of Australia
“The best, more affordable and reliable energy
mix is a balanced one with contributions from
gas, renewables, new HELE coal, and later from
carbon capture and storage as well as
(eventually) nuclear.”
“To get there we need a genuine and
comprehensive technology neutral approach.”
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16. Mark Bailey MP
Queensland Government
“Given the existing and ample supply of electricity generators, the
falling cost of renewables and huge taxpayer cost to construct and
run a new coal fired power station – it’s clear that maintaining the
State’s existing coal-generation fleet while adding more
renewable energy options to the mix is the right way to take the
State’s regional economy forward.”
“There is simply no need for new coal fired
baseload generation in North Queensland.”
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17. Senator Dr Richard Di Natale
Australian Greens – Party Leader and Senator for
Victoria
“Mr Turnbull was doing everything he could to protect "the coal
club".
"The only way new coal-fired power stations will get off the
ground is if there is a massive handout from Government,"
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18. The Issues
• Political
• Demand for energy increasing
• $$ - everyday Australians
• Bank loans
• Confusion – how to message
• Energy rich country, high power costs
• Vested interests clouding the facts
• Approvals for coal related projects challenging

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20. The Opportunities
• Provision of base load power
• Proven technology and reliability
• Near coal source
• Renewables require subsidies
• Gas cheaper to build, more $ to operate
• Nuclear not on the table
• Industry investment wanting certainty – supply and costs
• Public want price hikes to slow down
• Political support at Commonwealth level
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22. What can the coal industry do?
• Messages – simple
• Delivery of messages – mums & dads
• Different modes
• Acknowledge renewables
• Reasons – location, stranded assets
• Stay in the story – eg Developing Northern Australia

23. Patrice Brown
CQG Consulting
July 2017
Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Brisbane
www.cqgroup.com.au