Securing NSW Future Electricity Supplies

Introduction

One of the most significant issues facing NSW into the future is how we secure our energy supplies. The Owen Inquiry into electricity found that NSW would need additional baseload generation capacity by 2013-14.

In other words, we have to act now to keep the lights on in NSW. That left the Government with two choices. Spend billions of dollars on new baseload power stations or encourage greater private sector involvement in the electricity market and use those billions of dollars on other infrastructure.

What's New

• 25 June 2008 : Government announces next step in plan to secure NSW energy supplies
• 19 June 2008 : The following Bill passed successfully through both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council on Thursday, June 19.
  Auditor-General (Supplementary Powers) Bill 2008
• 18 June 2008 : $150 million plan helps consumers save money and the environment
• 17 June 2008 : New Auditor General powers to be introduced to Parliament

More news . . .

Independent Rural Communities Impact Statement (RCIS)

The New South Wales Government has contracted GHD Hassall to prepare an independent Rural Communities Impact Statement (RCIS) on its proposals for the energy sector.

The aim of a Rural Communities Impact Statement is to inform Government decision making via the identification and assessment of economic, environmental and social impacts of the proposals on rural communities.

Read the full article . . .

Unsworth Consultative Reference Committee

The Premier of NSW established the Unsworth Consultative Reference Committee to test the impacts of changes to the State’s electricity industry which the NSW Government announced last year.

• 10 April 2008 : Government establishes Electricity Safety Net in response to Unsworth Committee
• 10 April 2008 : Government Response to the Unsworth Consultative Reference Committee's Impact Statement
• 29 February 2008 : NSW Government’s Response to the Committee’s Terms of Reference

Government's Response to the Owen Inquiry

Premier Morris Iemma announced on December 10 that the Government was responding to the findings of the Owen Inquiry into Electricy Supply in NSW by acting to ensure the State's future energy needs.

• NSW Government acts to secure State’s energy supply
• Owen Inquiry - Jobs Guarantee
• Pricing and Consumer Protections
• Energy Efficiency Strategy
• Media Release, Clean Energy - Clean Coal, Renewables
• Energy savings to fund Infrastructure

Key Findings  and Proceedings

Full Report

Date Modified:27-Jun-2008