Coalition warned its energy "big stick" could scare real investors | Australia news

A new report has revealed that a "sober policy", and not "a panic and a controversy," is the answer to Australia's future energy problems.

However, the researchers warned that the government's underwriting of new investments in power generation, a key energy policy of the Coalition, could hinder and not help it to strengthen the reliability of the network.

Researchers at The Grattan Institute have recommended, among other things, a better management of the existing energy distribution in Australia, while encouraging Australians to invest in their own back-up reserves, because the technology for storing renewable energy such as solar becomes cheaper. among the potential solutions to the nation's future food problems.

The report comes as the government is trying to enact what remains of its "Big Stick" legislation, which, after jumping from the nose in federal courts, would give the energy minister the day the potential for divestment to the electricity companies if they were recovered. to abuse its market power to embark on exaggerated prices.

Researchers at the Grattan Institute reviewed Australia's energy problems over the past decade and the risks of future problems on the eve of the closure of coal-fired power plants, and found that Energy transportation was the "overwhelming source" of Australia 's power reliability problems. date.

But he also warned that this would not always be the case if policymakers did not find a sustainable and reasonable solution to maintain a supply that did not rely on "false narratives" such as sources of money. Renewable energy was at the origin of power outages.

The report examined the widespread blackout in southern Australia in 2016, after which researchers found that the number of reports of power outages had increased ten-fold. that the number of power outages remained stable.

"The problems of electricity transmission are the main source of breakdowns. it has nothing to do with the fact that electricity is produced from renewable energy sources or coal, or from another technology, "concluded Grattan researchers. .

"Over the last 10 years, more than 97% of shutdown hours have been attributed to problems with local poles and wires that deliver electricity to individuals and businesses.

"If we respond to misinformation, we will probably increase the cost of electricity while having little or no impact on reliability."

The power outage that led to the failure of the entire power grid in South Australia is the result of several factors, including tornado damage to power lines, disconnected wind farms. network due to strong disturbances and interconnector Victorian Heywood. .

The South Australian power plants have been struck by lightning, delaying attempts to restore electricity to the local level, which means that power needs to be restored via Victoria, which takes longer.

But then the then Labor government launched a renewable energy bill, which led to a debate on energy policy that overthrew Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister and should continue in the next elections.

The workforce is committed to increasing investments in renewable energy technologies, while the Coalition maintains a "technology neutral approach," which includes new coal-fired power plants. as long as its costs are reduced.

Recent heat waves in eastern Australia have given rise to warnings of potential overloading of energy networks, prompting new calls for "reliable base power", particularly the share of the promoters of coal.

The Grattan report revealed that only 0.1% of power outages in the last 10 years due to extreme weather conditions resulted from a lack of electricity generation.

But the report also recognized that when plants such as Liddell and Hazlewood reach the end of their life cycle and are decommissioned, additional pressure would be put on the system to meet demand.

But they warned that a "serene policy" and not "panic and politics" were needed to make sure Australia remained connected.

"As more and more older coal generators are shut down and summer heat waves become more severe, failures will increase unless investment in a new supply is made. ensuive, "he concluded.

"A stable policy framework to reduce emissions and provide retailers with sufficient supply will encourage this investment and maintain this rare problem.

"There is no need to pursue reforms, such as a centralized capacity market or direct government intervention to support investments.

"… The increase in the production of renewable energy creates challenges for an aging food system. However, energy market authorities have taken significant steps since the breakdown of the social badistance system to prepare the grid for a future characterized by much larger wind and solar power generation. "