Affordable energy remains a pipe dream without gas

The ongoing gas supply and price crisis is being worsened by both state and federal governments’ reluctance to address its root causes (“Gas crisis: Bowen calls on reserves”, 1/7).

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s continued focus on blaming Queensland liquefied natural gas exporters serves only to deflect responsibility from where it truly lies, with government policy. The largest gas consumers, NSW and Victoria, have actively discouraged investment in local gas supply through bans and moratoriums on exploration. Unless this is resolved, the prospect of affordable gas remains remote, as transporting it over long distances is costly.

The message being sent to gas-dependent industries is clear: your future competitiveness is under threat. As a result, we’re witnessing a trend of industrial decline, and in such an uncertain policy environment no rational investor would consider establishing a gas-reliant operation in Australia.

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s line that renewables are cheap when they are heavily subsidised is an all-time classic. But this was recently challenged by Resources Minister Madeleine King stating “we need to pursue new sources of power, renewable sources of power, power with lower emissions that can work”, when renewables work for only around 30 per cent of the time and the only zero-emission power source that guarantees 24/7 power, nuclear, is banned by her government.

The government’s support for hydrogen as a potential export industry is almost as laughable, as most hydrogen developments overseas are being undertaken close to industrial centres at points of consumption and likely to be produced from an adjacent nuclear power plant.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

It’s odd to talk about new gas projects being “forced to provide supply to the domestic market, with an east coast reservation scheme”.

Surely it just makes sense when everyday Australians are deep in a cost-of-living crisis and suffering rising energy costs. As Peter Dutton says, we don’t have a gas shortage; we do have a gas export problem. Companies are putting their profits ahead of Australians and that’s not OK.

Amy Blain, Ainslie, ACT

The illusion of Australia in the 21st century and beyond being powered solely by solar, wind and hydrogen has been debunked (“Gas and AI are the energy superpowers of the future”, 1/7).

Chris Bowen’s admission that gas has an important role to play in our energy system should finally shatter the teal and Greens fantasy of reliance on renewables power only.

All Australians’ electricity and gas bills are set to increase from this month far in excess of the rate of inflation. The nation needs to look seriously at a combination of energy sources, including nuclear, to ensure Australia’s future, and avoid a financial crippling of businesses and households; 2030 is almost here and 2050 is not too far away.

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW

I have been an occasional contributor to the Letters column for some time. However, because of my age, 97, and failing eyesight, I have had to write this as my last letter.

My biggest concern for the future of Australia is the source of affordable, reliable power.

Wind and solar will never be up to the task and hydrogen is proving to be a dismal and expensive failure. Fossil fuels will fill the gap, but why can’t nuclear power be in the mix?

A ban was put in place as a panic measure after Chernobyl, almost 40 years ago, but now 30 countries have nuclear power operating successfully. Remove the ban and let the market decide.

Peter Weste, Delacombe, Vic

Our Prime Minister should learn from Western Australia, where the Labor government passed a law that required us to keep a percentage of gas in our state.

LM Silbert, West Leederville, WA

It must be very disheartening for the Climate Change and Energy Minister to repeat the same old mantra of “cheaper energy” to himself as he looks in the mirror each morning.

Craig Walker, Darling Point, NSW