Blog
Could biofuels have softened Australia’s diesel crisis – and protect us from the next one?
UniSC News, Vol.2 April 2026
University of the Sunshine Coast
2026
Abstract
Australia’s current diesel shortage highlights a deeper issue in how we think about fuel security.
It is a global issue linked to the significant amount of fossil fuels coming from regions prone to conflict.
The issue is magnified in Australia due to decisions over the past couple of decades to shift refinery capacity offshore, which increases reliance on international capacity and supply chains.
This may be a more cost-effective method when all is running well but it’s not as resilient when conflict, natural disasters or global pandemics disrupt global supply chains.
In the interest of buffering short term issues, the International Energy Agency recommendation to member countries is to maintain a 90-day reserve in country – like a savings account for hard times.
And like households deciding how much to keep in a rainy-day fund, governments weigh the risk of being caught short against the cost of maintaining fuel reserves.
Australia has typically been well below the recommended 90 days; closer to 30 days when this current conflict began.
While other experts may have better insights into why our reserves are low, it likely reflects a combination of cost, storage constraints, and confidence in support from allies and neighbours.
Details
- Title
- Could biofuels have softened Australia’s diesel crisis – and protect us from the next one?
- Authors
- Mark Brown (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- UniSC News, Vol.2 April 2026
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2026
- Organisation Unit
- Forest Industries Research Centre
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991235799102621
- Output Type
- Blog
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1 Record Views