Energy policy shuns business experts in race to the bottom

Energy Minister Chris Bowen seems to listen to faceless experts but not business leaders or experts in driving the economy, building enterprise and developing the skills and wellbeing of millions of Australians (“100 per cent sure Bowen knows best”, 5/2).

Graham Bradley, Infrastructure NSW chairman, is absolutely right when he says poor planning, lack of community consultation and rising costs means the renewables target is unrealistic.

Given Australia emits only 1 per cent of world emissions, why on earth are we in an entirely unnecessary race to the bottom that will damage the economy and our wellbeing for years to come?

Ian C. Murray, Cremorne Point, NSW

Chris Bowen’s appeal to the authority of his experts shows desperation to avoid reality and continue down the road to ruin.

He has little support from business or the mining community, and the price rises and reduction of reliability in the electricity system should prompt a rethink of the plan. Ordinary citizens can see past the fantasyland of net zero as their bills increase. A quick look at the hundreds of coal power plants in the world shows the futility of his quest to save us from emissions. So long as the carbon dioxide theory of global warming continues to be given the status of dogma, we have little hope for a sane energy future.

David Bidstrup, Plympton Park, SA

Australia’s “ageing” coal-fired power stations are wrongly being blamed for the growing shortage of electricity generation.

Across the world, coal-fired steam railway locomotives were flogged to death as replacement diesel locomotives arrived. Ultimately, they became fit only for scrapping.

In this instance, fully operational coal-fired power stations have been demolished and replaced by intermittent and inappropriate “renewable” generation.

The remaining coal-fired generators are being flogged to death and operated in ways they were not designed for. If their maintenance and repair are not being effectively managed, then yes, we have a major electricity supply problem. Transitioning to nuclear power will solve the problem but we still need to care for our “ageing” coal-fired units until they are genuinely no longer required.

Rob Davies, Drysdale, Vic

Australia is in a gallop towards net-zero carbon emissions.

The usual systems mentioned are wind, solar and hydro, with nuclear likely to also feature strongly in the upcoming election. There is little mention of the energy contained in waves, tides, and sea currents. With our vast coastline, this oversight is unfortunate.

Ken Moore, Chapel Hill, Qld

Certainly poor planning has contributed to our current energy problems. This applies to the Labor and LNP governments over at least a decade. To make only Chris Bowen the scapegoat now is disingenuous.

Australia and the world have also planned poorly for the current climate crisis. Successive governments, companies and other organisations have done much to reduce carbon emissions. But these steps are clearly not enough to prevent increasing damage from extreme weather.

It is hard to supply enough power for our current national lifestyle, while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. Labor’s plan is not a “renewables-only strategy”, but allows for ongoing use of gas, including new gas. The Liberals offer nuclear in the 2040s, but that will need a lot of gas and coal before then.

Bowen’s emissions targets may be a stretch, but alternative plans from Peter Dutton or from the coal industry should include an estimate of carbon emissions.

John Hughes, Mentone, Vic

The obsession with reaching impossible net-zero targets has reached new heights of absurdity to stifle productivity, this time in our essential port facilities (“Australian ports set sail towards net zero emissions”, 5/1).

A brief look at the gobbledygook of Scope 1, 2, and 3 requirements shows that instead of concentrating on safety and efficiency, Australian port operators will have their attention diverted into filling in complex emission compliance forms and attending meetings. It will do little to affect the climate, with untameable oceans continuing to batter ports that can always be better built to withstand the elements.

John McRobert, Indooroopilly, Qld