Buru Energy's Kimberley gas plant heads to WA environment review
Buru expects a decision from the WA Environmental Protection Authority by the end of this year.
Buru Energy has sent its Rafael gas project to WA's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for assessment. The company says the plant could meet the region's power demands with local energy for the first time.
Buru's chairman David Maxwell says the Kimberley relies on imported energy from Karratha, Perth, Darwin and Asia. The project site is about 85 kilometres south of Derby, in the Canning Basin.
The plant would produce up to 300 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) each day. Conventional gas is extracted with simple drilling and pumping, unlike fracking.
Environs Kimberley executive director Martin Pritchard says the project could be a "Trojan horse for fracking". Buru rejects that, saying it does not currently use fracking and has no plans for it.
Buru expects an EPA decision by year's end and hopes for first gas by early 2029.
- About 85 kilometres south of Derby
- Site distance
- Six to 13 terajoules a day
- Kimberley power demand
- Up to 300 tonnes
- Daily LNG output
Why it mattersThe Kimberley now depends on energy from far away, so the EPA's ruling could shape its power supply.
AustraliaFor people in WA's Kimberley, the project could bring local power and a fresh fight over fracking.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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