The proposal from the Wilson Liberal National Victorian opposition to scrap the VNI West electricity connector and back ‘new gas’ is a wrong-headed move that will hurt Victorian families and harm our clean energy future, Environment Victoria said today.
Joy Toose, Environment Victoria’s climate campaign manager said this policy announcement from Jess Wilson will expose Victorians to higher power prices and less reliable electricity.
“You can have alternative plans, but you can’t have alternative facts. Renewables and the transmission that carries them are the only thing actually bringing bills down, cancelling that to burn more gas is a plan for higher bills and blackouts, dressed up as the opposite.”
“When the wholesale price of electricity from solar and wind is about half that of gas and coal, it’s outrageous to claim that blocking access to this power could bring household prices down.”
“Yallourn coal-burning power station is scheduled to close in 2028. Counting on ageing coal is a recipe for price spikes and black outs.”
“Victoria has already exceeded its renewable energy target of 40% by 2025. Jess Wilson’s proposal to scrap the VNI West connector and revert the state back to gas will undermine this work just as its gathering pace.”
“The VNI West will provide a vital means of directing that renewable energy from solar and wind around the state into towns and regional communities where it is most needed.”
“Abandoning these connections means the cheaper, cleaner energy from our abundant sun and wind resources won’t reach the homes and businesses where it’s needed. It would leave Victorians vulnerable to price spikes from coal outages and give gas companies free rein to keep setting energy prices.”
“Jess Wilson needs to explain where this mysterious “new gas” is coming from. Victoria has already used up 90% of its commercially viable gas reserves — what’s left costs up to twice as much to produce.”
“There’s no such thing as cheap new gas anymore. But what we do have are endless reserves of solar and wind.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
James Norman, Media and Content Manager – 0451291775
j.norman@environmentvictoria.org.au