As is the case with most states in Australia, the people of Tasmania are facing a series of hikes in electricity costs, the first only months away.
On the mainland, TRUenergy customers in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland were recently slugged with increased electricity costs of as much as 20%. Origin Energy also recently warned retail electricity prices will soar soon, as has AGL.
On the Apple Isle, Tasmania’s Independent Economic regulator has proposed average increases of just over 10 percent over 2010/11 due to start on December 1, in addition to the 6 percent passed on to electricity customers in July – with more increases to come.
Tasmanian Greens Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP pointed the finger at the “ruinous” 20-year Basslink contract and the purchase of the yet to be completed Babcock and Brown power station at Bell Bay, Aurora Energy Tamar Valley being key issues behind the steep electricity price rises that Tasmanians are now facing.
Mr Booth said the Greens have long warned about the costs looming for households due to what he termed “Labor’s inept management of Tasmania’s energy sector during the last 12 years”.
“The Mums and Dads of Tasmania are paying through their power meters for years of Labor’s bungled energy decisions, and the Greens are determined to ensure the delivery of a reliable supply of renewable energy at affordable prices.”
The price hikes will see some households in Tasmania consider or reconsider the acquisition of a home solar power system. Generous government solar rebates are currently available that greatly reduce the cost of solar energy. Additionally, Tasmania’s feed in tariff – while one of the least generous in Australia; a contentious issue still awaiting forward movement from all parties in the state – can help to further decrease the payback time on a system.
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