Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Energy

Tuesday 16th March 2010

Real Change– A bright future for energy in Tasmania

A Hodgman Liberal Government will take a multi-facetted approach to ensure that Tasmanian energy customers are provided with the most competitive energy prices in the country, and that we build on the enormous opportunity we will have in an increasingly carbon constrained world through our historic and significant investment in renewable generation.

We will:

Help Tasmanians reduce their electricity bills

• We will assist households and small businesses to install solar hot water systems through a $1000 new grant scheme ($2 million in 2010/11);
• Interest free loans up to $10,000 repayable over 5 years will be available to assist with purchasing photovoltaic solar panels, micro wind and other market ready renewable generation options;
• Establish an independent Office of Energy Advice and Efficiency to assist households and businesses to improve energy efficiency and implement plans to reduce energy consumption. ($1.5m over three years).

Back Business to Invest in Renewable Energy

• We will take a leadership role in facilitating investment in renewable energy
• Provide up to $250,000 for wind mapping
• Offer a low interest loan scheme (loans up to $500,000) to Tasmanian businesses to invest in wind power, photo voltaic and other approved market ready technologies ($1.8 over three years combine with interest free loan scheme).
• We will immediately convene a taskforce to address the challenges of planning and tariff structures.

Task Infrastructure Tasmania with developing a plan for the further rollout of natural gas

• We will develop a plan for the further rollout of natural gas that identifies those industries that can immediately benefit from natural gas.
• We will develop partnerships with the industry once the plan is developed to ensure that residential suburbs with the highest needs gain access as well.

Ensure that Tasmania is best placed to get best value out of its taxpayer owned electricity assets

• We will develop and establish a long term strategic plan to 2030 to ensure that we maximise our position in the National Electricity market for the benefit of all Tasmanians;
• We will make certain that Tasmania’s long term energy needs are met and that Tasmanians receive the most competitive pricing structures in the country;
• We will conduct a feasibility study to consider the benefits that a second basslink may deliver the State
• We will ensure that we realise on our potential to be one of the world’s leading jurisdictions for renewable energy development and small scale distributed generation.
• We will not stand idly by as Labor have done and watch major developments like Muselroe wind farm grind to a halt and stall.

Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping tune ups of larger buildings

• A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will establish a Greener Buildings Fund to help property owners give their buildings a green tune up, with an incentive program worth $1.5 million over three years.
• The government assistance that is available from each of the three tiers of government.

The total cost of this policy is $6.8M over the forward estimates.