New analysis reveals blackouts will become common and petrol will rise to $2.33 a litre if Labor wins

Blackouts will become more common in NSW than any other state and petrol prices will surge to $2.33 a litre if Labor wins the upcoming state and federal elections, a new analysis reveals.

• Coal seam gas proposed to fix rising power bills

Blackouts will become more common in NSW than any other state and petrol prices will surge to $2.33 a litre if Labor wins the upcoming state and federal elections, a new analysis reveals.

It claims Michael Daley’s plan for a 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target combined with Bill Shorten’s 45 per cent carbon reduction target would create a shortfall between electricity supply and demand in NSW much greater than Victoria, where 200,000 houses lost power earlier this year.

The Coalition-aligned Menzies Research Centre analysis draws from modelling released this week by former chief scientist Brian Fisher and forecasts from the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Petrol prices could surge to $2.33 a litre if Labor wins, a new analysis has revealed. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

MORE NEWS

Sydney’s Meow 100: Has your cat made the list?

PM’s plan to send migrants to bush to end congestion

Businesses forced to close after Google’s ‘dodgy’ ads

But Labor has disputed Dr Fisher’s modelling and pledged that power bills would be slashed with more renewables in the electricity grid.

Menzies executive director Nick Cater said that AEMO concluded in a report last year that the risk of an electricity blackout during extreme weather would rise significantly with the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in the Hunter Valley in 2022.

Dr Fisher’s modelling showed that under Labor’s emissions reduction target up to three more coal-fired plants in NSW would shut down by 2030.

“As AEMO showed, with the best will in the world it is not physically possible to replace coal-generated power with reliable renewables in such a short space of time,” he said.

“With the certain loss of three coal generators and the possible loss of a fourth, the state’s economy hits a tipping point.”

Energy Minister Angus Taylor will reveal department advice that petrol prices will increase. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Labor energy spokesman Mark Butler rejects the modelling by Dr Fisher. Picture Kym Smith

Energy Minister Angus Taylor will reveal on Wednesday environment department advice that with every dollar of a shadow carbon price the cost of petrol increases by around 0.24 cents per litre and diesel by 0.27 cents per litre.

Dr Fisher’s report found that Labor’s policy would effectively introduce a carbon price of $326 per tonne of CO2 emissions while under the ­Coalition it would be $92.

“Filling up a hatchback will cost over $120 in every capital city,” Mr Taylor said.

There are fears blackouts will become a frequent thing in extreme weather. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Labor energy spokesman Mark Butler said on Tuesday he “utterly rejects” Dr Fisher’s modelling, which he labelled the “latest Liberal attempt at a climate change scare campaign”. “This rubbish modelling isn’t an analysis of Labor policy, and their conclusions about the impacts of our policy are not accurate,” he said.

“Renewable energy plus storage is the cheapest source of new energy. Labor’s plan for 50 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2030 is good for jobs, good for the economy and good for the environment.”

ELECTRICITY BILLS A SHOCKER

By Adella Beaini

Soaring electricity prices are putting pressure on Aussie families, forcing them to find ways to save money to foot the bill.

Single mother-of-three Sharon Williams from Artarmon said despite only one of her children living at home, the cost of her electricity usage only keeps increasing.

Sharon Williams said her power bill continues to rise despite only one daughter, Charlotte Riddle, living with her. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“I have noticed the bills have gone up in the last few years to the point where you gulp each time you get a bill,’’ she said.

“We used to pay gas and electricity bills without too much thought now they are really an episode when they arrive. They really are quite a shock.’’

Ms Williams said the high cost has made her “query some of the bills” as two of her kids are away from home most of the time at university and boarding school.

“The bills have gone up a good 30 per cent from a few years ago,’’ she said.