Basslink Outage Reinforces Need for Renewable Energy Plan

The Basslink failure highlights the ongoing risk to Tasmania’s electricity supply, which relies on an overused undersea cable.

The best and most future-focused way to prevent the state entering periods of energy insecurity is to produce everything we need on-island.

The Liberals’ adoption of parts of the Greens’ energy policy, and commitment to becoming 100% renewable by 2022 needs to be fast-tracked. It’s only four years away, and Minister Barnett needs to provide a detailed plan about how we can get there, as a priority.

The future for our island state rests in becoming more than 100% renewable as soon as possible, and having a reliable electricity excess to export. The Greens will actively contribute to any tripartisan effort to develop a real renewable energy plan for Tasmania.

It would take more than a decade to build a new undersea cable, and that funding should be the federal government’s responsibility. The current conversations about a second Basslink are a pointless distraction from the State Government’s real work over the next four years – to become more than 100% renewable, 100% of the time.

Securing energy generation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are urgent for Tasmania in this term of government. Mr Barnett and his colleagues must make it a priority.
Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens’ Energy spokesperson