The South Australian Business Chamber Executive Director of Industry and Government Engagement Anthony Penney said South Australian businesses were increasingly finding it difficult to pay power bills, with significant price rises occurring over the past two years.
“This deal will allow organisations to rise above the promises being made at all political levels, and concentrates on finding the best possible commercial outcome for South Australian businesses,” Mr Penney said.
“If we can help businesses to save on electricity costs, it will lead to the protection of jobs, additional employment, the ability to re-invest in operations and help some struggling sectors to remain viable.”
Mr Penney said more than 30 organisations, ranging from small manufacturers and agri-businesses through to private hospitals had expressed an interest in being part of the buying group, and he was open to accepting additional commitments before expressions of interest closed on Friday 4 November.
He said the South Australian Business Chamber aggregate purchase represented a low-cost option for businesses using a minimum of 160 MW hours per year to join up and collectively market their electricity load.
The collective announcement has come as the Federal Government yesterday launched its energy policy, which dismissed the Finkel Review’s recommendation to establish a Clean Energy Target while requiring generators to buy a minimum amount of power from dispatchable sources including coal, gas or hydro sources.
“As a leading proponent of the Finkel Review, we are disappointed the Federal Government has chosen not to implement the recommendation to establish a CET,” Mr Penney said.
“Our members just want this mess fixed and it needs to be done at a national level. While the CET has been independently endorsed by an internationally-recognised panel of experts, if the Federal Government’s proposed alternative can achieve reliable and affordable power while ensuring necessary carbon reductions, business is open to considering it.”
For further details about the collective click here.
