The Herald Sun has another frustrating gas debate today.
Gas exports from the east coast could be brought under a new licence scheme to protect supplies for Aussie users, under a plan backed by industry groups and manufacturers.
But the looming overhaul is dividing the states, with Queensland blaming the southern states for looming gas shortfalls.
…Queensland accused Victoria of failing to do enough to find new supplies, and Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki blamed the “southern states” for looming supply constraints.
“Queensland has consistently delivered reliable energy for consumers and supported the development of its gas industry, even as policy failures in southern states have constrained supply,” Mr Janetzki said.
Notice the word that is missing from the Janetzki attack: “cheap”.
QLD may have reliable power because it uses coal, but it doesn’t have cheap power because it uses gas for peaking periods.
In fact, it uses a lot more gas than NSW and VIC in the generation mix.
This usage, combined with its low renewables penetration, means QLD has the worst of all worlds.
It is the most polluting mix of electricity in any state. But renewable penetration is high enough for a Duck Curve, meaning gas drives the price higher for longer.
Traditionally, QLDers have enjoyed relatively cheap power. No longer.
Since Albo’s superidiots came to power, QLD has had a shocker with the second-highest average wholesale price on the East Coast.
| NSW | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC |
| $154.16 | $150.48 | $129.43 | $115.18 | $106.97 |
And let’s not forget who it was that breathed the East Coast gas export cartel into existence, trashing everybody.
Queenslander!
For this retrograde energy state to criticise VIC is a lot more State of Origin thuggishness than it is energy policy success.
That said, let’s not let the dills down south off. SA has the deepest renewable penetration, but it’s now kidding itself about reliability. AFR.
The South Australian government has asked energy retailer AGL to extend the life of its ageing Torrens Island gas generator by two years amid warnings by the energy market operator that its scheduled closure would pose energy risks for the state.
The proposed extension to the plant is the result of delays to the completion of Project EnergyConnect, the new $4.1 billion electricity cable linking NSW and South Australia, which is required to bring on the new renewable power needed to replace the retiring gas facility.
SA is going to rely upon peaking power sourced from NSW and VIC coal in the evening, so it can claim it is 100% renewable.
State politics is toxic for national energy.
