The market can generate a power supply fix without state involvement
Energy Australiaâs Tallawara B gas plant proves the private sector can deliver cost-effective, low-emissions electricity, and why the government should step back from big stick interventions.
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EnergyAustralia on Tuesday announced it will build a 316-megawatt, open-cycle gas turbine â gas peaking plant â in the Illawarra region of NSW.
This decision is an all-round win for industry, governments and consumers â an unusual outcome in a sector more often beset by uncertainty and animosity.
The Tallawarra B plant will lie next to EnergyAustraliaâs existing power station in NSW.Â
10 April 2021
Big batteries have emerged as the more effective provider of peaking services within the electricity market, beating out gas generators on cost and effectiveness, new analysis published by the Clean Energy Council has argued.
Peaking generators play an important role within the electricity system, providing additional supplies of power at short notice when demand for electricity surges to very high levels, such as very hot summer days.
Traditionally, these services have been provided by open cycle gas generators, which have the ability to start generating electricity in less than 15-minutes. However, these generators are generally costly to operate, lay dormant for most of the year and secure most of their revenues during the brief periods throughout the year when wholesale electricity prices are extraordinarily high.