Government s $60m boost to get more gas into the market 07/05/2021|10min
The federal government has released an interim plan ahead of next week’s budget which will include nearly $60 million in funding to fire up the nation’s proposed gas-lead recovery.
“Unlocking additional supply is key to driving down prices for all Australian gas users,” the Interim National Gas Infrastructure Plan read.
Speaking to Sky News, Energy Minister Angus Taylor said a post-pandemic gas-lead recovery was “absolutely happening” and the effects could already be seen on the cost of gas.
“That’s helping to bring down the price of electricity,” he said.
Australia: Santos welcomes progress on National Gas Infrastructure Plan
07 May 2021
Santos welcomes the Federal Government’s release of the interim
National Gas Infrastructure Plan. Santos Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Kevin Gallagher said the Plan is based on an open, competitive market approach and encourages investment in new local supply and infrastructure, which is the best way to put downward pressure on east coast domestic gas prices. The best thing the government could do to get gas prices down on the east coast is to remove barriers to investment and promote private investment in new gas supply sources and pipelines through stable energy and fiscal policy, Mr Gallagher said.
Nuclear energy is ‘cheap, reliable, and low on emissions’: Bridget McKenzie 06/05/2021|9min
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie says nuclear energy is cheap, reliable, low on emissions, and “we are just kidding ourselves” if we compete on the international stage without it.
“We have the resource in our own back yard,” she said.
Australia holds 40 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves, yet does not produce nuclear energy.
Nationals Senators earlier this year drafted legislation which would allow the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to invest in nuclear power.
Ms McKenzie told Sky News host Alan Jones “we’re still waiting” for Energy Minister Angus Taylor to put the legislation through parliament and spark debate on the issue.
Subsidy battle brewing over electric cars
Experts acknowledge there are many cheaper ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions than electric cars.
Jaguar’s I-PACE is an electric car.
Jaguar Land Rover
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Tony Wood, one of Australia’s foremost energy experts, recently bought an I-PACE, a Jaguar electric car that can hit 100km/h in under five seconds while playing songs from his Spotify account.
Wood, an analyst at the Grattan Institute think-tank, wanted to explore alternatives to the internal combustion engine and help the planet.
He loves driving the car but has found some practical difficulties. “Getting a charging facility in an apartment building is currently a bit of a chore,” he says.
Industry questions federal gas power plan
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Plans by the Commonwealth to build a gas-fired power station in NSW in addition to one to be built by EnergyAustralia could accelerate the demise of coal and may not cut prices immediately as the government hopes, Energy Security Board chief Kerry Schott says.
Dr Schott was one of several experts and industry figures who questioned the need for a second, new government-funded plant in NSW after EnergyAustralia confirmed it would proceed with its proposed 316 megawatt, $300 million Tallawarra B project in the Illawarra region.
Dr Kerry Schott says the use of power from the Kurri Kurri plant would hinge on the price of gas. It would compete against coal, pumped-hydro, existing gas and the cheapest of all, renewable energy.