PLAN’S A TURN- OFF IN NORTH
THE State Government has received a frosty reception in North Queensland after it was suggested householders and businesses turn up their airconditioners to help avoid power blackouts.
The Summer Preparedness Plan 2017- 18, released yesterday, outlined ways to manage energy demands over summer.
It recommended that airconditioners be set at 26C or higher to reduce demand during heatwave conditions.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said the state was rationing electricity use while ruling out a new high- efficiency, low- emissions ( HELE) coal- fired baseload power station for the North.
“What has it come to when the Palaszczuk Government is telling Queenslanders to ration their electricity use and set their air conditioners to 26C?” he said. “Under Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland families and businesses are being told the problem with the power bills is that you are using too much of it, so turn it up or turn it off.”
Energy Minister Mark Bailey said Queensland had the most robust power grid in Australia, however the Gov- ernment was not content “to just keep doing what we’re doing”.
“It’s very clear that we are the powerhouse of the nation,” he said.
“That said we want to see a greater security because we’re seeing more extreme weather events more often.”
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the plan had been developed to ensure the state was wellprepared for electricity demands summer may bring.
“Queensland regularly experiences higher temperatures during the summer months and extreme weather events which place a higher than usual demand on our electricity network,” he said.
Burdekin MP Dale Last said the uncertainty in the energy market was because of Labor’s “reckless” rush to renewable energy.
“Labor has now admitted we could face similar blackouts to South Australia because of their reckless rush to renewables – while they abandon stable power sources,” he said.
“When it comes to energy at the upcoming state election, all we’re going to hear from Labor is fear and smear … because they have no idea.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the Government was not forcing people to turn up their airconditioners.
“It’s during those extreme heat events,” he said.
“This was introduced in 2012 under the LNP so we have picked that up and are doing the same.
“This is a voluntarily process, there will be no impact on industry.”
Townsville Enterprise director policy and investment Michael McMillan said the report signified the State Government needed to determine a viable power solution for North Queensland.
“I don’t think 26C reasonable,” he said.
“Again there’s been a lack of consultation here from the State Government with this.
“Business will bear the brunt of that.”
When asked whether it paved the way for a new HELE plant in the North, Mr McMillan said there was no silver bullet.
“The regulatory framework needs to be reviewed,” he said. is