Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Energy spokesperson
Tasmania has a massive renewable energy generation deficit that is costing a fortune. The Liberals’ refusal to drive investment in new renewables cost Tasmania an estimated $15 million this January alone.*
Through January, nearly half of the State’s electricity was imported over Basslink, or generated by the costly Tamar Valley Power Station.
It cost taxpayers an extra $15 million, and shows how far we are from being self-sufficient. That's a huge sum of money that's left the State and gone to dirty coal and gas fields on the mainland.
Last summer's energy crisis cost Tasmania $140 million and highlighted how insecure the State’s energy supply is. The Liberals' only response has been to participate in talk-fests, and create a loan scheme for businesses only.
Nine months after it was promised, however, the Liberals’ business loan scheme is yet to lend a single dollar. In contrast, a Green Minister in the previous government provided 9,500 free energy efficiency upgrades for people on low incomes and community organisations.
An inquiry doesn’t ensure energy security, or move Tasmania away from expensive gas generation and Basslink imports. The only way the State can be 100% secure is to set targets that drive market investment in building more wind and solar, and to focus on energy efficiency.
Tasmania has everything it needs, except political will, to become self-sufficient and energy secure every day, whatever the weather.
*Calculations below
