RELIABLE power is something that we all need.

While solar and wind generated power are considered the new gold standard in power there is some contention about the planned power plant at Kurri Kurri.

There is plenty of debate about the planned power plant designed to fuel the region, particularly as it isn’t that long ago that Tomago Aluminium had to switch off production to keep the lights on in other parts of NSW.

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Liberal candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell told News Of The Area, “We need an affordable and reliable power system and that means we need back up for when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.

“This is absolutely critical for businesses such as the Tomago Aluminium smelter that relies on round the clock, 24/7 and affordable power supply to survive.

“Businesses should not have to make a tough decision between suspending production and bearing the cost of high prices, as we are seeing across Europe right now.

“This puts jobs and the financial security of families at risk.

“The Kurri Kurri gas fired power station will provide a safeguard for families, communities and industries against higher prices, which could skyrocket by up to 30 percent if the Liddell power station is not replaced with on-demand, reliable power to keep the lights on and prices low.”

Tomago CEO Matt Howell has said the Kurri Kurri gas generator “is absolutely essential” because, as he points out, the largest battery in Australia would run Tomago “for less than eight minutes”.

Vitnell went on to say, “Kurri Kurri stacks up for Tomago, it stacks up for businesses, it stacks up for families, and it stacks up as a strong investment for taxpayers.

“And importantly, particularly for the Hunter, this project will create up to 600 new jobs and a further 1,200 indirect jobs.”

These are real jobs and real opportunities for local business and industry in a viable, ready to go project in the Hunter,” said Vitnell.

However The Climate Council has a different view.

Climate Councillor, energy expert and former BP Australasia President, Greg Bourne said, “Every taxpayer dollar spent on new gas-fired power infrastructure is at risk of being wasted on unnecessary stranded assets.

“Gas simply cannot compete with renewable energy, which is bringing down power prices for consumers and creating a cleaner, healthier energy system.”

“We’re also seeing a similar clean energy trend on the other side of Australia, in WA’s largest grid, which for the first time ever in 2021 saw renewables overtake gas to become the state’s biggest source of power.

“This is incredibly significant considering renewable energy generation has more than doubled in WA in just three years.

“Why is the Morrison Government investing in gas-fired power stations when the need for gas in our electricity system is clearly disappearing?” said Mr Bourne.

“Gas is expensive, polluting, and diminishing in importance and relevance as the rest of the world moves towards net zero, and our own states and territories rapidly roll-out large-scale renewable energy and storage.”

Currently nationally renewable energy equates to 31.4 percent of that generated in 2021 with gas generating 5.7 percent.

In NSW 24.6 percent of energy was renewable and only 1.5 percent was generated by gas.

By Marian SAMPSON