Government funds power project that relies on massive coal plant closures

The Morrison government is backing a new power connection between Tasmania and the mainland that would be unviable unless one-third of Australia’s coal-fired power capacity prematurely shuts down and greenhouse gas emissions fall far more dramatically than the Coalition has proposed.

One-third of the east coast's coal-fired power capacity
must close from 2025 for the new power link from
Tasmania to the mainland to be viable, a report has found.CREDIT:

But the government has rejected suggestions that it privately believes a massive coal shut-down is imminent, saying models such as those used in the Commonwealth-funded report are unreliable.

The Coalition on Monday sought to reposition itself on climate and energy policy with a $3.5 billion climate solutions package. It included up to $1.38 billion for Snowy 2.0 and $56 million to fast track the proposed Marinus link, a second electricity transmission cable under Bass Strait that would deliver Tasmania’s vast renewable energy resources to mainland states.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Marinus project would help deliver up to 2500 megawatts of reliable renewable hydro power, lower energy prices and reduce Australia’s emissions by 25 million tonnes by 2030.

Read the story from The Age by Nicole Hasham - “Government funds power project that relies on massive coal plant closures.”