Federal Government’s energy policy could be developed with help from Sanjeev Gupta

WHYALLA’S white knight Sanjeev Gupta has offered to work with the Federal Government to develop an energy plan it will take to next year’s election.

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WHYALLA’S white knight Sanjeev Gupta has offered to work with the Federal Government to develop an energy plan it could take to next year’s election.

Mr Gupta, a British industrialist, has announced more than $1 billion in energy projects across South Australia.

A supporter of the government’s National Energy Guarantee, ditched in a decision he says was disappointing, Mr Gupta believes that under a new policy investment in new-generation energy assets will reduce electricity prices down to “more competitive levels”.

He is advocating for new “large-scale generation” that he says will lower energy prices and help Australian businesses to remain competitive.

Sanjeev Gupta in Whyalla. Picture: Sean Kelly, GFG Alliance

Work is continuing on his 1GW renewable energy program for the Upper Spencer Gulf, following its launch in mid-August, and development applications will soon be submitted for both the Cultana solar farm and big battery project.

The Advertiser understands that Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor has had confidential meetings with industry stakeholders, and was consulting with families and small businesses about energy policies. He is expected to make an announcement in coming months.

Key recommendations from the ACCC’s retail electricity pricing inquiry, such as increasing competition and holding energy companies to account, will also be implemented by the Morrison Government.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week revealed he was willing to do “whatever it takes” to bring down power bills and would consider going nuclear if he was convinced it made economic sense.

A spokesman for Mr Taylor said the government was backing “investment in new, affordable, dispatchable generation” to improve competition, lower prices and guarantee reliable supply.

Representatives from Mr Gupta’s company, Liberty Steel, have previously attended a series of energy roundtable meetings held by Labor.

The party on Sunday released its five-point “fair go” plan which included investing in “cleaner and cheaper energy”. But opposition energy spokesman Mark Butler has not directly developed its energy plan with Mr Gupta.

Originally published as Federal Government’s energy policy could be developed with help from Sanjeev Gupta