Reality bites deep into electricity privatisation argument
A gas-fired baseload power station being built near Wollongong further undermines the NSW government’s pretext for electricity privatisation, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Commenting on a story on page 5 of the today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Kaye said: “Treasurer Michael Costa argues that public ownership of the state’s electricity supply industry is a barrier to private sector investment in baseload capacity.
“Mr Costa needs to get out more. “On the shores of Lake Illawarra, near Wollongong, China Light and Power’s Australian subsidiary, TRUenergy is close to completing a 400 MW gas-fired baseload power station.
“According to Michael Costa, this could not happen, but it is.
“A private sector investor is already building at least one baseload station.
“Michael Costa is busy pushing for the sale of the state’s electricity industry without knowing what is happening on the ground. This is dangerous territory for the state when the Treasurer is so ignorant of the industry he is trying to sell.
“The ‘private sector barrier to investment’ argument is as bankrupt as the rest of the Iemma government’s rationalisation of their sale push.
“The NSW government claims the state needs yet more baseload power by 2014 or the lights will go out. They also claim that the state cannot afford to build generators plants or it will blow out its AAA credit rating.
“Both are wrong.
“If the state does need more baseload energy, our analysis shows it can be achieved by phasing out electric off-peak water. Not only is this cheaper than building new generators but it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Michael Costa might have been able to recruit former Premier Bob Carr and Prime Minster Kevin Rudd onto his privatisation bandwagon, but reality is running firmly against him,” Dr Kaye said.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I question the Tallawarra site. Not just the privatisation but the sale of the land and the massive overdevelopment of Tallawarra.
TRU energy has been given total control of the planning process by Wollongong City Council. Previous LES has been changed to suit TRU Energys plans. The development proposal sees 6 indigenous areas brutilised and a high conservation rainforest pocket destroyed.
The development also fails to provide any community space or even enough space for a school which would be required for the 1600 housing lots proposed.
One of the planning managers at Council, Faye Steward was removed from Council following the ICAC recommendations and is still of interest to the ICAC. Emails obtained show how Council officers were being forced to hurry this DA through and some complained about the process and the push from Management at WCC to meet the “needs” of TRU energy.
I would like to know how much did TRU Energy pay for this Community land from the State Govt? I would like to know how much TRU energy donated to NSW Labor recently? I would also like to know about any percurinary interests regarding MPs and TRU Energy. ICAC and the Ombudsman have been given a lot of information, including suspect emails between Council officers and TRU Energy staff….but have refused to investigate! I wou7ld like the Greens, Nationals and Liberals to push for a full independent enquiry into the over development of this site please.