Gas can give Tasmanians a cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy future
9 February 2018
Australia's peak body for downstream gaseous fuels, Gas Energy Australia, has called on all
Parties and Independents to commit to gaseous fuels - to save hard working Tasmanians money
on their power bills and provide a more independent and cleaner future for Tasmania.
GEA's State Election Statement urges shifting the State's offshore islands and remote areas to
gas generation, ensuring gaseous fuels have the same access to government support as other
low emission technologies and supporting jobs from gas innovation, R&D and manufacturing.
Its Chief Executive John Griffiths said the Statement wasn't about asking the new Government
to choose between gas or renewables - it was about making sure that the right energy and
right technology co-existed to provide secure, affordable and low emission energy to all
Tasmanians.
"Tasmanian families can save money on their electricity bills by switching to gas appliances -
provided the incoming Tasmanian Government provides them with the same interest free loans,
rebates and concessions given to renewables," said Mr Griffiths.
Gaseous fuels can also deliver reliable, cleaner and cheaper power to Tasmania's offshore islands
and remote/off-grid areas. There is also a strong economic and energy security case to explore the
value and risk mitigation of distributed energy options, including LPG and Liquified Natural Gas, in
a regionalised state like Tasmania.
Tasmania had been a leader in gaseous fuels, with one of Australia's first micro LNG plants at
Westbury which could reduce emissions and air pollution by displacing the imported diesel that
currently fuels Bass Strait freight vessels and off-grid power generation.
In its submission to the Tasmanian Energy Security Taskforce, GEA suggested that a duplication
of the Basslink interconnector wouldn't necessarily increase energy security, noting that the
generating and distribution system it in turn relies on, is subject to its own security pressures.
"This has proven to be the case with the recent closing of the Hazelwood Power Station and
blackouts experienced across Victoria, the most recent occurring just late last month. The Basslink
interconnector duplication risks becoming a significant additional burden on taxpayers, without the
certainty of an increase in energy security" said Mr Griffiths.
Mr Griffiths said that these recent events highlighted the need for greater diversity of supply within
Tasmania and why lower polluting gas has an important role to play.
"The Taskforce itself noted that in the absence of other baseload options, gas has an important
role to play in improving energy security. But our submission shows it can also lower energy costs
for Tasmanians, reduce emissions and support both direct and indirect jobs."
"That's why we are calling on all Parties and Independents to adopt these three simple key
measures that form a package which would benefit all Tasmanians".
Media contact: John Griffiths 0439 344 622
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