The east coast supply shortage is worsening with threats of possible power interruptions to NSW, QLD, VIC, SA and Tasmania this week. While the nation’s energy ministers agree there is no quick fix, they’re backing a longer-term plan to address the supply gap, which includes establishing a new gas storage reserve. The federal government has also given the green light for retailers to pay power providers to maintain extra capacity in case it is needed. Domestic electricity and gas prices have surged to unprecedented levels in recent months with several of the country’s ageing coal-fired power stations out of action and overseas gas prices skyrocketing due the war in Ukraine. The Panellists: Chris Bowen, Minister for Energy and Climate Change; Zoe Daniel, Independent member for Goldstein; Saul Griffith, Inventor, author, and scientist;
Sarah McNamara, Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Council; Tony Wood, Energy and Climate Change Program Director, Grattan Institute.
