PIAA welcomes energy guarantee

The federal government has announced a new energy policy, the National Energy Guarantee (NEG), which Printing Industries says is a move in the right direction.

The NEG makes energy providers guarantee a certain level of dispatchable energy, that is, energy which can be pushed into the system at a moment’s notice. For printers, this means a repeat of the SA state-wide blackouts which may be less likely this summer. It also requires energy providers to maintain an average emissions level, so that Australia can meet its climate change commitments.

Andrew Macaulay, CEO, Printing Industries says, “We have been having a series of meetings directly with Josh Frydenberg, federal energy minister, his advisors, Government backbenchers, and key crossbenchers in the Senate, always raising energy policy.

“I was in Canberra on Monday and Tuesday when the meeting was occurring, and spoke to a number of people on Monday afternoon and night before the cabinet meeting. We have given two submissions to Minister Frydenberg and other ministers over the past couple of weeks.

“From an industry perspective, we see the key issue is immediately stopping the escalation of energy prices, and immediately securing reliability of supply.

“And then, initiating policies that in the short term, give Australia an energy market that is the most cost-effective in the world, so driving energy prices down.

“We are pleased to see the prime minister and Government have taken action to move in that direction, the industry’s concern right now is that there is some detail and timelines missing in what was announced on Tuesday.

“While in principle, we support the Government in what they announced, we need action, and a detailed plan. We need evidence that it will drive down prices in the short term, which is what industry and the community needs.

“It should immediately ensure that there is reliability. We are seeking clarification on how and when it will stabilise and lower prices. The government is forecasting that it may lower prices, but the evidence will be in the detailed plan, in Government actions, and in the outcome. Until there is a positive outcome, industry is bearing the costs of the previous poor Government policy.”

Some media commentators have speculated that the manufacturing and agricultural sectors will need to step up emissions reductions efforts to meet Australia’s Paris climate commitments, and Macaulay says Printing Industries will push back heavily against any extra costs for the industry.

“The industry has been proactive in running the Sustainable Green Printing programme. A lot of printers are accredited, and proudly display the certification. The printing industry is self-regulating in that area, and Government recognises that. We would push back vehemently and vociferously if there were any attempts to put further costs on the printing industry, when we are already deal with the costs of out of control energy pricing, punitive Australia Post letters policy, and declining of support from State Governments for vocational training and apprenticeship training. The printing sector is already struggling with these Government failures in policy, so would reject any further policy imposts on the industry,” explains Macaulay.

Coalition partner The Nationals voted to dump subsidies for renewable energy last month, which spelled the end for the big push into renewables.

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One thought on “PIAA welcomes energy guarantee

  1. The political wing of the mining industry doing what it is told. The real problem is the economics, renewable energy solutions are dropping in price by a rate greater than Moores Law and will continue to do so. This stupid attempt to forestall the inevitable will fail. Anyone who really thinks that power operators will stop playing market games to force spot prices up over peak demand periods is kidding themselves. Stupid stuff and we as an industry shouldnt be supporting it.

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