Greens WA Energy Spokesperson Tim Clifford MLC has slammed Synergy’s extensive planned investment in prolonging the life of ageing coal and gas-fired power stations in this year’s Budget.
“The vast majority of Synergy’s asset investment for the next four years – more than 80 per cent – will be spent propping up ageing coal-fired and gas power stations,” Mr Clifford said.
“Meanwhile, Synergy’s planned asset investment in renewable energy in the same period is so small as to not rate a mention, and WA households are bracing for an average seven per cent rise in their Synergy bills.
“This once again shows that continuing to rely on fossil fuels does not keep our electricity prices low.
“The cost of fossil fuel electricity generation can only rise over the long term, while renewable-based generation costs keep falling.
“The Greens’ Energy 2030 plan released last year proved it would be the same cost or cheaper to reach 100% renewable electricity generation in WA than continue with business as usual.
“Further, setting a target of 100 per cent renewables by 2030 would create 156,000 jobs in construction, installation and ongoing maintenance.
“We aren’t seeing forward vision in Synergy’s plans and householders will pay the cost.”