Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Energy spokesperson
A major national energy report has identified Tasmania as one of two states that are highly exposed and the biggest threat to Australia’s energy security and reliability. It highlighted Tasmania’s over-reliance on other states to boost our energy supply.
The preliminary findings of the Finkel Review into the National Electricity Market will be tabled at today's COAG meeting. Premier Hodgman needs to take heed of Tasmania's high risk rating and reflect it in government targets and a timeframe for new renewable generation.
Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr Finkel, and his panel found Tasmania was too dependent on the Basslink interconnector to boost our energy supply. They note it is “a lengthy ‘thin’ connection between separate electricity markets”.
Dr Finkel pointed to Tasmania's recent energy crisis and warned the State should be “ensuring a balanced local portfolio of generation types”.
Premier Hodgman flew off to COAG promising to lobby for a second Basslink. He's once again missed the point, Tasmania doesn't need more reliance on interconnectors, but less.
Australia's Chief Scientist has noted Tasmania's need to invest in on-island options. It's time the Hodgman Government started listening, and took the steps to become 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy, all the time.
Tasmania needs a government that will invest in on-island renewables for a secure future. This means more wind and solar, and that can only be achieved by a pro-renewable energy commitment.