Industry releases joint statement in support of NEG

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A group of 20 of Australia’s energy stakeholders has released a joint statement calling on the COAG Energy Council to sign off on the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) at this Friday’s meeting. Read the full statement below.


A broad array of Australia’s energy stakeholders today called on the COAG Energy Council to approve the Energy Security Board’s framework for the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) and commence changes to the National Electricity Law, even as debate continues on the appropriate emissions reduction targets for the electricity sector.

Action is needed on many fronts to ensure Australians have the affordable, reliable and clean energy we demand.

Deep policy uncertainty hangs over electricity investment beyond the current national Renewable Energy Target.

An efficient and durable mechanism that integrates energy and climate policy will greatly reduce this uncertainty.

The NEG is a mechanism to pursue emissions reductions and maintain reliability in the National Electricity Market while minimising cost through flexibility.

The final proposed mechanism has been much improved by stakeholder feedback through the ESB’s consultations. No other options offer both better policy and more political durability.

For the NEG mechanism to be enacted, or removed once agreed, the unanimous agreement of the National Electricity Market jurisdictions is required.

This high bar would make the resulting system more robust than any emissions reduction policy previously proposed.

On the other hand, if the COAG Energy Council were to defer decisions too long, a looming series of elections raises the risk that the opportunity to reach agreement on a mechanism would be lost.

The states and territories should approve as soon as possible the general design of the NEG mechanism and the specific enabling changes to the National Electricity Law that the ESB proposes.

In doing so they do not need to agree with the Commonwealth’s proposed emissions targets, which are a distinct question and will be hotly debated in the Federal Parliament.

Nothing in the NEG will prevent the states and territories from pursuing additional renewable energy or emission reduction policies if they so decide, though they should ensure any policies they do pursue are well coordinated and offer net benefits.

In that federal debate, and given current deep political disagreement over targets, compromise will be needed from all sides to deliver the greatest achievable certainty.

Success will likely require a flexible approach, with a pathway for governments to amend targets subject to an adequate notice period and proper process.

Together with COAG agreement on the NEG mechanism, such a compromise would sharply reduce policy uncertainty and help the electricity sector deliver affordable, reliable and clean energy.

Endorsed by:

ABB
Ace Metal Treatment Services
Adani Renewables
AGL
Ai Group
Asaleo Care
AusNet Services
Australian Aluminium Council Australian Energy Council
Australian Food and Grocery Council Australian Steel Institute
BlueScope Steel
Chemistry Australia
Clean Energy Council
Energy Networks Australia
Energy Users Association of Australia ERM Power
Haighs Chocolates
Jemena
National Farmers’ Federation
The Refrigerated Warehouse & Transport Association of Australia
Wilson Transformer
Woolworths Group

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