Nice power station – but where’s the gas?
Emily Wood | March 14, 2017
“The South Australian government’s anouncement today that will see it take some extraordinary measures to respond to the crisis in our energy markets underscores the severity of the situation where it appears that energy markets are not working,” said Energy Users Association of Australia CEO, Mr Andrew Richards.
“The fact that state goverments feel compelled to take such action is an indication of the quantum of the crisis and that serious national reform is required.”
The EUAA has been calling on action to avert the looming crisis in energy markets for some time. Energy users have reported skyrocketing bills and reports are that South Australian members are unable to secure gas contracts.
“While we understand the reasons why the South Australian government is prepared to invest in new plant, we have to ask the question, given the current crisis remains how will the power station run without gas?”
Dotted around the nation are various gas power stations sitting idle as gas prices sky rocket and supply is limited. Demand to fulfill LNG contracts has sucked up domestic supply in a coutry with vast gas reserves creating a situation that defies belief. Without action the situation will not change.
“Energy users welcome government and industry attention on the critical issue of reforming our energy markets, and it’s great to see some new and big ideas from the South Australian government, but we must ensure that the solutions being put forward solve the long-term problems we face. We need to fix market failures that have led to this crisis to avoid history repeating itself.”
