Today’s (Fri) meeting of Energy Ministers has considered a range of issues following the South Australian blackout last month.
Importantly, all ministers agreed that a national plan for the energy market needs to be developed, which is something that the Tasmanian Government has been calling for, for some time.
The national plan needs to focus on security of supply and affordability in the ongoing transition to clean energy.
I welcome the appointment of Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, to lead an independent review that will assist with the development of the plan. I look forward to seeing Dr Finkel’s initial advice later this year.
The ministers also discussed the important role of strengthened interconnection between the States.
There was specific acknowledgment of the joint Commonwealth and State Government study into a second Bass Strait interconnector.
I took the opportunity to once again highlight the significant role Tasmania can play in assisting in mainland Australia’s transition to clean energy and the important role of a second interconnector in that context.
The Tasmanian Government firmly believes that a second interconnector is part of the solution to the issues currently being considered and we look forward to receiving a final report on the feasibility of a second interconnector early next year.
Matthew Groom, Minister for Energy
