An expert energy panel believes the Tasmanian Government must fully implement its recommendations if power prices are to drop.
After 18 months of investigation, the independent panel has outlined a four-point plan to overhaul the state’s electricity sector, opening it up to competition in a bid to drive down power prices.
It includes disbanding Aurora Energy by selling off its retail arm and merging its poles and wires business with state-owned transmission company Transend.
That will enable Tasmanians to choose who they buy their power from.
The panel also recommends Hydro Tasmania no longer sells the power it generates and instead three government-owned businesses are created to take on that role.
The Premier, Lara Giddings, tabled the panel’s report in Parliament.
“What the government will be doing now is working through our response.”
The 700-page report also recommends the sale of the Tamar Valley Power Station.
The panel says its changes could save up to $240 million over an eight-year period.
Read the rest, ABC Online here
• GREENS VINDICATED ON ELECTRICITY
Expert Panel: Sell Tamar Valley Power Station
Kim Booth MP
Greens Energy spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Expert Energy Panel’s report into Tasmania’s electricity sectors.
Greens Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP said the review was ordered by Parliament as a result of pressure from the Greens over spiralling electricity prices and the effect this was having on mum and dad electricity users and the broader economy.
“This is the report Labor should have commissioned well before it made the disastrous decision to force Aurora to purchase the rusting Tamar Valley gas power station, abandoned by Babcock and Brown,” Mr Booth said.
“Unfortunately the mum and dad consumers have had to pay through their power bills for Labors AETV energy bungle.”
“In 2010, the Greens predicted the then Premier David Bartlett’s reckless and uninformed decision to buy the power station would push up electricity prices. That is exactly what happened.”
“Uninformed politically motivated and knee jerk energy decisions have not served the state well and the panel’s work will provide reliable objective and independent evidence to inform future decisions.”
“The challenge is now to use the unique features of independent advice and a power sharing parliament to determine an energy future for Tasmania that each member of Parliament will have to accept responsibility for.”
“I would like to thank John Pierce, who is also the current Chairman of the Australian energy market Commission, for chairing the panel, which included Dr John Tamblyn dand Dr Jerome Fahrer.”
“These energy experts have been scrupulously objective, thorough and unflinching in their reporting and I am relieved to say, justify most of the criticisms that the Greens have made over energy policy in Tasmania,” Mr Booth said.
• COOL HEADS NEEDED ON ENERGY REFORM
Kim Booth MP
Greens Energy Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens plan to consult with stakeholders over the next few weeks regarding the recommendations of the Expert Energy Panel’s report into Tasmania’s electricity sector before reaching a final position on the proposed reforms.
Greens Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that fundamental reform is of the energy sector was clearly needed to bring down power prices, but the Greens would not be rushing to any conclusions about the best way forward.
“The issue of energy reform is vital to Tasmania’s economic future, and far too important to be made into another political football,” Mr Booth said
“Politically motivated, knee jerk responses are part of what got us into this mess, and what we need now is cool heads on all sides of politics.”
“This review was ordered by Parliament as a result of pressure from the Greens, as a way of providing impartial and apolitical advice for making extremely important long term decisions in the interests of our community.”
“I urge all Members of Parliament to set aside parochial politics and work constructively to get the best possible outcome for all electricity users.”
“The Greens will be carefully considering the Panel’s recommendations and consulting with stakeholders, before we reach a final position on the way forward,” Mr Booth said.
