Queenslanders have been warned of potential blackouts this summer, with a new report highlighting an energy shortfall for the Sunshine State. It's raised questions over the government's yet to be released energy roadmap and the transition away from increasingly unreliable coal fired power stations.
00:00There's an increased likelihood of blackouts this summer.
00:06Circumstances could arise in the summer period where we could have shortfalls unless we plan
00:11carefully to avoid that. This is not a statement of catastrophe.
00:15An AEMO report has revealed operators may have to source power from other states or
00:21pay large consumers to cut their electricity use at peak times.
00:25I am very optimistic they know what they're doing.
00:27I think we'd feel it. We depend on our air conditioning, yes.
00:31I've got quite enough solar and putting on batteries I'm very much of the mindset that I'll look after myself.
00:39Queensland's ageing coal fleet is partly to blame.
00:42Over the last summer period our coal-fired power stations broke down a total of 78 times.
00:48We simply can't afford to rely on these old coal clunkers moving forward.
00:53The report forecasts electricity consumption will increase by 21% over the next decade, stressing the importance of new infrastructure.
01:02The state government is due to release its energy roadmap later this year and its strategy to reduce emissions.
01:09The current government remains committed to net zero emissions by 2050 which means a long way before then all the coal-fired power stations will have to be shut down and that's what this plan is going to be important.
01:19Their only plan so far has been to cut renewable projects and to continue to rely on coal-fired power stations.
01:26If we're building enough renewable energy and storage we absolutely can have a smooth transition.
01:31The problem is we need policy certainty.
01:34Energy Minister David Janetsky wasn't available on camera.
01:37He and other ministers spent the day here getting paid for stakeholder meetings.
01:42In a statement he didn't answer if he was concerned about potential blackouts or provide a date for when the roadmap would be released.
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