01/08/2018

'Something Missing': Final National Energy Paper Omits Modelling Data

FairfaxPeter Hannam

The final report from the Energy Security Board on the Turnbull government's signature energy policy does not contain detailed modelling the states were awaiting, an absence that could further complicate approval on the plan.
The states and territories, which must provide unanimous support for the National Energy Guarantee for it to proceed on Wednesday were sent an extended version of the board's final detailed design paper.
Australia's energy policy debate is heading to a climax. Photo: Nick Moir
The 61-page document does contain more detail on the guarantee's workings, including the role of different sources of energy if the plan were to be implemented after 2020.
Coal-powered generation is expected to continue to account for more than 60 per cent of all generation in 2029-30. There is no futher closure of coal-fired power stations, except for AGL's Liddell plant in NSW, up until 2029.
Some Queensland black coal generation is projected to withdraw "in line with key contracting and technical milestones" around 2029-30.
The chapter of modelling - not made public before today - does not, however, detail the assumptions that underpinned the work done for the board by ACIL Allen, the consultants.
Dylan McConnell, an energy expert at the University of Melbourne, said many analysts had hoped to see the precise assumptions used to support the board's arguments, including that the guarantee would save households an average of $550 per year over the first decade.
"Definitely, there's something missing," Mr McConnell said. "[The report] is not the actual modelling."
He contrasted the partial disclosure with the Gillard government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, or carbon tax, when the full modelling from two separate consultancies was made public before the policy was voted on.
"The Climate Change Authority always released its modelling," he said, adding that the same was true for the Warburton review into the Renewable Energy Target.
Federal Labor is among those that has called for the full release of the modelling.

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