Queensland families will have future electricity prices stabilised and cost of living pressures eased as a result of the Newman Government’s strong 30 year plan for the electricity sector.
Launching PowerQ: a 30-year strategy for Queensland’s electricity sector today Energy Minister Mark McArdle said it would deliver a more cost-effective, consumer focussed, resilient and better planned electricity supply system.
“The cost of electricity is a burden on families, made tougher by Labor’s inept management over two decades,” Mr McArdle said.
“Power prices have more than doubled over the last decade because of Labor’s significant supply failure, its reckless “blank cheque” spending response and economically-irresponsible political interventions in the market, like the carbon tax.
“The Queensland Government has a strong 30 year plan that will create a brighter future for families across the state.
“We know that a strong electricity sector underpins our promise to create jobs and grow an economy around the four pillars of agriculture, construction, resources and tourism.
“Without comprehensive reform, electricity prices will continue to surge – doing nothing is not an option.
“PowerQ is the result of extensive consultation with everyday Queenslanders, electricity retailers, generators and industry representatives, who will all have further roles to play as the strategy’s actions are delivered.
“Our electricity sector is changing dramatically and we will continue to see a transformation over the coming decade that will alter the way we make, move, buy, sell, and use energy in the future.
“PowerQ will give Queensland households, small businesses and industry greater choice, flexibility and control over how they use and pay for electricity.”
PowerQ includes strategies to:
- provide policy certainty to encourage strong competition and benefit consumers;
- use customer data and feedback to create a more responsive market;
- encourage a competitive and diverse market that attracts more innovation and investment; and
- increase Queensland’s prosperity by ensuring our electricity market is more affordable and efficient.
Mr McArdle said while the Government was already well underway in some parts of its strong plan to stabilise electricity prices, there was no quick fix.
“We have removed prescriptive reliability standards for electricity distributors, which will save Queenslanders more than $2 billion between 2015 and 2030, while more immediate reforms to the Solar Bonus Scheme will save about $110 million over the next six years,” he said.
Legislation was also introduced into Queensland Parliament last month that would drive greater competition and attract more retailers to the Energex region, while increasing consumer protections for all Queenslanders.
PowerQ is available at www.dews.qld.gov.au
Details on the implementation of the Queensland Government’s strong plan for a brighter energy future can be found by liking the ‘Energy Queensland’ Facebook page or following @EnergyQld on Twitter.
