Queensland energy minister David Janetzki and NSW energy minister Penny Sharpe came face to face on stage at the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney this week, and demonstrated that they share at least one thing in common.
They are both in charge of the two state grids in Australia that are the most heavily dependent on coal: Queensland has had a 60 per cent coal share in its grid over the last 12 months, and NSW still has 53 per cent, according to Open Electricity.
The difference between the two state energy ministers is what they want to do about it. One talks about the future, the other talks about the past. One talks about climate and costs. The other talks about old fossils.
One wants to end the fossil addiction as soon as they can, even if they have approved two extensions to the planned closure of Australia’s biggest coal generator. The other wants to draw coal out for another decade or two, or even three decades, and is really excited about another highly polluting fossil fuel: coal seam gas.
“The future is not about running toward more fossil fuels,” Sharpe said in a panel session hosted by Clean Energy Council CEO Jackie Trad, a former Queensland treasurer. “We just need to remember the reason why we’re transforming our energy system … it is because of climate change and the need to reduce emissions.
