Mr BAYLEY question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Today, Tasmanians are learning for the first time that the new AI and data centre infrastructure you are encouraging into the state will have a potential new energy demand of over 1150 megawatts. Meanwhile, the business case for Project Marinus is based on mass energy exports delivering super-profits to Hydro to offset increased energy costs in Tasmania. We’re already importing more fossil fuel power from the mainland than ever before to meet current demand. Experts say you can’t have both mass demand on the island and mass export. Premier, how are you going to supply both AI data centres and Marinus Link?
Mr Shelton – You closed down the forest industry and said we had to transition into new industries.
The SPEAKER – Honourable member for Lyons, Mr Shelton, when a member is asking their question, I ask that they be heard in silence.
ANSWER
I thank the honourable member for the question. I’ll go back to a previous answer where I mentioned that we have legislated doubling our renewable energy capacity here in Tasmania. Laced into your question is the scaremongering and fearmongering around AI data centres, which is what you do well, but our government has a very clear plan –
Dr Woodruff interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Honourable Leader of the Greens, this is your second warning.
Mr ROCKLIFF – to secure Tasmania’s energy future while keeping power prices among the lowest in the nation, and I’m very proud of that fact. Across the eastern seaboard at the very least, we did have the lowest regulated prices in the nation and I believe that’s still the case unless I’m advised otherwise. I very much appreciate that. The honourable Deputy Leader has reminded me that is for both residential and small business.
We are in this new era of opportunity and it is fantastic to see investment coming into Tasmania across various industry sectors – good growth. As Tasmania grows, our energy demand grows and we know more generation transmission and investment are needed, so we’re delivering on that plan. Project Marinus and the North West Transmission Developments have moved beyond planning and are now firmly in delivery. We are supporting proponents of new renewable generation through our renewable energy approvals pathway, dedicated case managers and coordinated approvals.
It often escapes me, but it shouldn’t really, the irony of the Greens’ attack constantly on renewable energy developments. You have to go back to the days when Bob Brown was very pro-coal in the Fingal Valley. You can’t criticise Tasmanians for thinking that’s actually what they believe, more coal in the Fingal Valley, because they attack opportunity when it comes to Marinus, they attack opportunity when it comes to renewable energy in wind and solar.
Ms Ogilvie – [inaudible 10.55.01 a.m.]
The SPEAKER – Honourable member for Clark, Ms Ogilvie, I ask interjections to cease, please.
Mr ROCKLIFF – All your questions and your anti-renewable agenda is laced with irony, given you call yourself the Tasmanian Greens, which I know Tasmanians are very confused about. We’re supporting our proponents when it comes to renewable energy. We have a pipeline of more than 5 gigawatts of renewable energy projects across wind, solar, storage and hydro developments in various stages of development and approval.
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier’s time has expired.
Supplementary Question
Mr BAYLEY – There was a lot in that and everybody knows that our position is supportive of renewable energy provided it doesn’t come at the expense of the environment.
Members interjecting.
CHAIR – Order. Wait, honourable Deputy Leader of the Greens. Stop the clock. It is very hard to hear what the honourable Deputy Leader of the Greens is saying. I ask interjections to cease, please, and for the House to settle to allow the honourable member to be heard in silence.
Mr BAYLEY – Honourable Speaker, the question was underpinned by the fact that experts themselves are saying you can’t have both Marinus for mass export and mass demand here with data centres. You talked about growth and more generation, but my question was about the Marinus case and the $470 million of super-profits for Hydro. Have you got any advice from Hydro that they won’t be able to deliver those super-profits with this new AI data centre agenda?
Mr ROCKLIFF – I thank the honourable member for his question and I’ll throw the retort back at him. There was a lot in that supplementary question and ‑
Mr Bayley – Have you got advice from Hydro?
The SPEAKER – Order.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We have a very strong renewable energy agenda and we’re backing in our forebears, effectively, who worked so hard, and also our political forebears as well across various political colours for their investment in hydro-industrialisation. I had an appreciation when I was at the power station last week –
Dr Woodruff – Give Tasmanians some information about what you’re doing.
Mr ROCKLIFF – of the enormous amount of engineering and hard work that goes to creating our renewable energy system through hydro-industrialisation.
Mr BAYLEY – Point of order, Speaker. Does the Premier have advice from Hydro about their super-profits and not being able to deliver?
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier’s time has expired.
