The Morrison Government has highlighted gas as a crucial energy source to back up renewable power generation over the next decade.
Energy Minister Angus Taylor on Thursday released a long-awaited roadmap charting the course to meeting Australia's emission reduction commitments.
Gas and pumped hydrogen are nominated as key ways to shore up the reliability of solar and wind as the economy shifts to cleaner power generation.
"Gas is one of many technologies that can play an important role here. It's very important in the short-term," Mr Taylor told ABC Radio National on Thursday.
The paper builds on a survey of more than 140 technologies including hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and soil carbon sequestration.
The report also references the potential for small modular nuclear reactors while acknowledging challenges with cost, the environment and social acceptability.
It said emerging nuclear technologies “have potential but require R&D and identified deployment pathways”.
Mr Taylor said the government's approach would focus on technology rather than taxes.
"We want many horses in this race. Any horse that can win the race, we want it in there," the energy minister said.
The shift from coal to gas to underpin renewable generation between now and 2030 is significant and could rankle some conservative MPs within the coalition government.
The report also references the potential for small modular nuclear reactors while acknowledging challenges with cost, the environment and social acceptability.
The roadmap, which looks at power generation and emissions in the short, medium and long-term, has been released for consultation until 21 June.
Minister for Energy Angus Taylor wants a lot of horses in the energy race. Source: AAP
"The goal has to be not to raise the cost of existing fuel sources but to reduce the cost of emerging, lower emitting fuel sources," Mr Taylor said.
Labor's resources spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said the government had acknowledged renewables and gas would be crucial into the future.
He accused the coalition of "raising the white flag" on coal.
"We'd all love coal generation to be viable in Australia with the right form of carbon mitigation, but it just hasn't happened because this government's hasn't provided a path way for it," Mr Fitzgibbon told Sky News.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Joel Fitzgibbon. Source: AAP
Climate Council chief Amanda McKenzie has warned new gas projects will create huge investment losses, stranded assets and colossal environmental harm.
"Public investment in gas would be a disastrous waste, locking in more dangerous climate change and higher energy prices," she said.
Alongside the roadmap, chief scientist Alan Finkel is developing Australia's first low emissions technology statement.
The two documents will be the centrepiece of Australia's long-term emissions reduction plan to be released before the next major UN climate conference.
