"The strong support of the National Energy Guarantee from the Federal Coalition's party room is a positive, and we are hopeful there will now be no barrier to getting on with the next stage of development," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.
"The next major decision points will come following in depth consultation on proposed changes to the National Electricity Law. It is very important to scrutinise these carefully, as they will be the hardest to fix later. Once this is done, it will be time for the States and Territories and the Commonwealth to strike agreement on the NEG. All sides will need to be ready to work together in the national interest of delivering the durable policy framework that the electricity sector, and all who depend on it, so badly need."
"The ACCC's proposal for government to underwrite new entrant power projects in certain circumstances could be very positive if it facilitates more energy user-led projects as we've seen in South Australia. Development and implementation will need careful coordination with the Energy Security Board to ensure it works with, and not against, all the other complex reforms under way," Mr Willox said.