Food industry brings home extent of our energy crisis

Although we have an abundance of commentators on energy policy, including academics, bureaucrats, industry bodies and, of course, politicians, they all have ulterior motives in one form or another, so when you hear about the extent of energy unaffordability from individual businesses, in this case food distributors, the depth of the energy crisis strikes home (“Food firms revolt over power crisis, 3/2).

With big increases in electricity bills leading to higher food prices for consumers and deferrals of industry investment plans, the conclusion is that by placing ideology over pragmatism, the Albanese government has failed us.

A total recalibration of energy policy is required to drive down prices for industry and households, and to securitise the nation’s economic development.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

The Albanese government should stay the course – we are well on the way to switching to an energy system built on clean renewables and battery storage.

Energy experts have explained that the unreliability and high maintenance costs of ageing coal-fired power stations are in large part to blame for higher power prices, particularly in NSW and Queensland, which have fewer grid connections to renewables and are, therefore, still more reliant on expensive fossil-fuel sources. It would be a mistake to go backwards to polluting fossil fuels when clean renewables and battery storage are the cheapest source of power on the globe.

Julia Croatto, Kew, Vic

It is time for it to be acknowledged and accepted that the Australian Electricity Network will require a mix of generation sources, or electricity users across Australia will face increasing occurrences of blackouts and imposed power restrictions, and exorbitant charges for the foreseeable future.

A larger dose of reality is required, rather than the continued pursuit of an ideological dream.

Ian Macgowan, Ceduna, SA

Businesses may protest that energy prices have risen a lot in the past few years but blaming renewables is misdirected, and more gas and coal is not the answer.

Much of the increases in power bills is because of the increasing cost of coal and gas. Compared to 2020, the prices of coal and gas have increased more than 200 per cent. Burning fossils fuels has to be phased out regardless of the economic pain, as the consequences of climate change from burning coal and gas will result in much greater economic pain in later years.

John Chapman, Nedlands, WA

Not enough importance is placed on food security in Australia.

Escalating energy prices are inflicting severe hardship on suppliers and consumers. It’s time to put an end to unrealistic emissions targets. The world is abandoning net zero and we should too.

Julie Winzar, Palm Beach, Qld

We are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to climate.

The tropical food basket of Far North Queensland produces a large proportion of our tropical produce and is a major tourist attraction. Once again, we see catastrophic floods wipe out crops, isolating the region and destroying homes and infrastructure.

Floods and cyclonic winds, generated by an overheated atmosphere, are becoming regular events across the region. Increasing power generation from the burning of fossil fuels can only exacerbate the situation.

The food service sector may well benefit by taking a longer-term view of the problem challenging it.

John Mosig, Kew, Vic

The rising cost of energy is affecting all businesses.

Energy is also a key environmental concern, making it a political priority. However, many political and climate advocacy organisations push specific technologies – such as renewables, batteries, and pumped hydro – while excluding others such as oil, gas, coal and nuclear.

In engineering, there is no perfect solution, only optimal ones, and finding the best outcome requires considering all options. The issue with politicians, climate organisations and advocacy groups is that they focus on promoting certain technologies and eliminating fossil fuels, rather than prioritising what is best for the environment and affordable for the community. This sub-optimal approach to energy is why the issue remains so divisive.

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld