THE development of a large nuclear energy plant in South Australia to bring down electricity prices is not feasible, Shadow Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellakaan has said.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan outlined a number of issues around the cost of electricity at an energy forum in Mount Gambier this week.
More than 50 residents, business leaders and Liberal Party faithful attended the meeting Tuesday evening where the shadow minister outlined the party’s pre-election energy solution.
The plan, which includes a $200m interconnection fund to improve connectivity with the National Energy Market, as well as a $100m household battery program, would assist in pushing electricity prices down, Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.
“We have similar weather patterns with Victoria and because weather directly impacts on the capacity on renewables and the demand of electricity, it makes things very, very difficult,” he said.
“We’re at the end of the line with interconnection and we need to strengthen it to increase network stability and drive down prices.
“Our solution will provide grants averaging $2500 to help 40,000 people buy batteries for their homes.
“40,000 homes is around 20pc of the number of people who currently have solar and that will make a significant impact on easing pressure off the grid.”
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said the state’s current energy situation was exacerbated by both the high take-up of renewable energy sources and the closure of Port Augusta’s coal-fired power station.
“With renewable energy, the Liberals, Labor, Greens and Xenophon all want to get to the same place,” he said.
“It’s how we get there where we do have different views.
“Without thinking about all the impacts, the government increased its 33pc renewable energy target to 50pc.
“Coal was going to run out and get more expensive, but a transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy needs to be a smart transition.
“If that power station had been allowed to stay open for a few more years, we would not have the problems we’ve had in the last few years.”
In supporting the move to renewables, Mr van Holst Pellekaan said a coordinated approach between the states in relation to energy targets was necessary.
“The State Liberal party has a plan to negotiate with the other states and Federal Government to establish one nationally agreed renewable energy target,” he said.
“We don’t need an aspirational target in which a target you have gets surpassed, we need a target each state can commit to achieve.”
When asked about expanding the plan to include nuclear by audience members, Mr van Holst Pellekaan said he had no concern about its safety, but conceded it would be too timely and expensive.
“It will take about $15b and take about 15 years before we would get a benefit out of it,” he said.
“We don’t have $15b and if we went halves with another state, we don’t have $7.5bn.
“Most importantly, we don’t have 15 years to wait before we would get some benefit from that electricity.”
