The Clean Energy Council is disappointed with a decision by the New South Wales and Federal Governments to co-fund a new fossil-fuelled generator.
Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton says that taxpayer dollars would be better spent on large-scale battery storage, pumped hydro and accelerating transmission upgrades to provide cost-effective, reliable, flexible and low-emissions power.
“The costs of energy storage have declined rapidly in recent years, and it’s now clear that it provides a lower-cost solution for firming low-cost solar and wind energy resources,” said Thornton.
A recent study by the Clean Energy Council found that batteries are cheaper than open-cycle gas turbine plants for providing electricity peaking services.
The study compared a new 250 MW gas peaker with a 250 MW four-hour grid-scale battery, finding that the battery provides cost savings of more than 30 per cent while offering greater flexibility and significantly reducing emissions intensity.
“It’s encouraging to see Energy Australia commit to offsetting the emissions from the project and using a 5 per cent green hydrogen blend from 2025, but it is likely to be many years before a fully renewable hydrogen plant can compete with energy storage in the electricity market.
“If private investors are willing to bet on gas over energy storage, that’s a decision for them. But the general public is becoming increasingly uncomfortable seeing their taxes used to prop up more expensive fossil fuel generators.”
ENDS