The NSW Opposition wants reliable and affordable energy for households and businesses across our state.
Today’s ‘deal’ does not guarantee energy reliability or more affordable electricity for households and businesses.
The need now to extend the Eraring coal power station is due to Labor’s neglect and mismanagement of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which will cost the NSW taxpayer up to $450 million over the coming years and doesn’t even guarantee a solution to forecasted reliability risks.
The Minns Labor Government has created uncertainty for would-be investors in new capacity and now the people of NSW face more expensive and less reliable energy.
Over a year ago the Minns Labor Government called for a review of the Roadmap and they have been plagued by inaction ever since. They haven’t finalised planning guidelines and, as a result, the energy industry and consumers have been left in limbo.
An update from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) earlier this week highlighted the risks to reliability from Labor’s failed approach to energy, including delays in delivering transmission infrastructure and battery storage projects such as the Orana battery and the Waratah Super Battery.
Responsibility sits with Premier Chris Minns and he should apologise for his Government’s mismanagement.
No mention was made of the costs of energy being driven up by privitisation by liberal governments.