The Government welcomes the Energy Security Taskforce Interim Report.
Pleasingly, the Taskforce’s key finding is that there are no immediate threats to energy security in Tasmania.
The Taskforce’s interim findings reaffirm many of the actions the Government has already taken in response to the energy challenges Tasmania experienced earlier this year.
In particular, we note the Taskforce’s acknowledgement of the Government’s decision to restore the pre-2012 prudent dam storage levels that had been reduced under the Labor-Green Government so they could profit from the carbon tax.
We are in complete agreement with the Taskforce regarding the appropriateness of the decision to retain the Tamar Valley Power station as a back-up generator. Despite Bryan Green’s scaremongering, we have made it clear time and time again that the gas turbine was not sold and will not be sold.
We are also already engaged with Hydro on measures to further clarify energy security responsibilities.
The Government has proactively engaged with its energy businesses to facilitate offtake arrangement to support further on-island renewable development. Those discussions are progressing well and we anticipate positive outcomes early in the new year.
We appreciate all of the efforts of the Taskforce in preparing its interim report and we look forward to carefully considering the final recommendations of the Taskforce when they hand down their final report to the Government which is expected in June.
While Labor may yet again try to scare people and say the sky is falling in, this report clearly illustrates that Bryan Green’s decision to lower the prudent water management levels was risky and and that restoration of these levels has provided energy security for Tasmanians.