Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Energy spokesperson
The energy crisis exposed Tasmania’s vulnerability to cuts to our electricity supply, and the State's increasing dependence on dirty coal-fired power from the mainland.
Basslink's confirmation that after an extensive independent investigation they have been unable to identify the cause of the cable failure reinforces that vulnerability.
If Basslink can't explain what caused the cable to go down last summer, how can we be sure it won't happen again? The only way is to dramatically increase the production of renewable energy on our island.
As an island State, Tasmania can't rely on the interconnector to keep the lights on and businesses running. The government must be looking at a serious investment in renewable energy.
Tasmanians expect their government to act in their best interests. That means a secure electricity supply that protects jobs and our State’s clean, green image, through investment in renewable energy.
With proper government policies, we could be at least 100% renewable, 100% of the time. Tasmania shouldn't have to experience another energy crisis for the government to announce a target on how we will get there.