Guy Barnett,Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
Tasmania’s energy security is not at risk, despite Dean Winter’s desperate attempts to convince Tasmanians otherwise.
I made that very clear in Parliament this week, and Hydro Acting CEO, Ian Brooksbank, is also on the record on 26 October confirming that Hydro Tasmania had no plans to decommission the combined cycle turbine.
To be clear, Tasmania’s energy future has never been more secure, and I would urge Mr Winter to get the facts before making things up to scare people.
Tasmania has already achieved 100 per cent self-sufficiency in renewable electricity and we have more wind generation on the way, backed by our world leading 200 per cent Tasmanian Renewable Energy Target.
As at 25 October 2021, dam storages were at 51.4 per cent – the highest since 2014, and well above the prudent storage levels.
Labor simply have no credibility on energy, given the last time they were in Government, power prices rose by 65 per cent -causing untold pain to thousands of families across the State.
In regards to the current gas contracts between Hydro Tasmania and TGP, the Government expects that Hydro Tasmania and TGP will work towards an agreement.
It is entirely appropriate that the Government allows this process to take its course, while monitoring these negotiations to ensure the outcome is in the best interests of Tasmanians.
