Electricity prices spike as temperatures soar. Climate change and LNG exports increase energy costs. https://t.co/YgIU7fMKxm @JoshFrydenberg— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) February 8, 2017
Australian thermal #coal sold in 2015-16 for just $2.69 per GJ.— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) February 4, 2017
The LNG export price fell from $13.20 per GJ in 2014-15 to $8.60 in 2015-16
The Australian Government's LNG export policy - with no reservation for industry and residential consumers - has resulted in a 250 percent increase in the cost of natural gas since 2014. The resulting $8.60 per gigajoule price for natural gas makes efficient, low emission combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power stations like that at Pelican Point, South Australia, quite costly to run compared to a high emission low efficiency (HELE) coal-fired power station.
The raucous noise over renewable energy in South Australia and the upsurge in government members spruiking high emission low efficiency (HELE) coal-fired power stations is most likely a deliberate distraction from this fiasco that is the government's "sell-it-all" LNG export policy.
Gladstone LNG plant places a demand on gas from NSW and elsewhere
Energy Action | Feb 19, 2016Gas flows on the Moomba-to-Sydney gas pipeline has supplied NSW with gas since 1976. However, according to data from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the flow was reversed in December for the first time as the third of three gas export projects being built at Gladstone powered up.
New Moomba Gas Supply Hub launched
MEDIA RELEASE - AEMOWednesday, 1 June 2016
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has today announced the launch of the newly established Moomba Gas Supply Hub and two additional trading locations at the Moomba to Adelaide pipeline and the Moomba to Sydney pipeline, which are now open for trading.
The Moomba Gas Supply Hub follows the successful introduction of the Wallumbilla Gas Supply Hub (GSH), established in 2014 to enhance the transparency and reliability of gas supply by creating a voluntary market that offers a low-cost, flexible method to buy and sell gas at interconnecting transmission pipelines.
Gas and LNG Market Outlook, January 2017
National Australia BankThe exposure of eastern Australia to LNG export markets will have far reaching implications for domestic gas use.
Wholesale prices are likely to increase significantly and some questions remain over availability of commercially recoverable gas from Queensland coal seam gas fields.
Higher wholesale gas prices are likely to spill over into electricity markets by increasing fuel costs for peak load open cycle gas turbines.
Higher gas prices are already flowing through to large domestic customers, with reports that contracts are being offered well in excess of current netback export parity prices.
The price of gas for residential customers in Australia’s five largest cities could increase by more than 50% by 2020.
Boyne Smelter to close cells, cut production after power price spike
Tegan Annett | 21st Jan 2017, Updated: 23rd Jan 2017Gladstone Observer
IF nothing changes in Queensland's electricity market, 40 aluminium-producing cells at Boyne Smelter will be closed.
That's the message from general manager Joe Rea who says it will result in jobs lost and leave the Boyne Smelter down 45,000 tonnes in aluminium production.
The price hike was driven by high electricity demand in response to very hot weather conditions in Queensland. He said on January 18, a new demand record was set at 9,357MW exceeding the previous record of 9,097MW.
Queensland moves to reserve gas for domestic use
Matt Chambers | 26th Jan 2017The Australian
Gas producers have voiced alarm at Queensland’s move to earmark a small patch of new exploration ground for domestic use, although former federal resources ministers and previously staunch domestic gas reservation opponents Ian Macfarlane and Martin Ferguson have changed their position and now back the move.
Queensland Resources Minister Anthony Lynham yesterday announced the release of 58sq km of exploration ground in the onshore Surat Basin with the “strict” condition that any gas produced must be used in Australia.
The Queensland Resources Council, which counts both the big gas exporters and some big gas users (such as Incitec Pivot, Rio Tinto and Glencore) among its members and is now run by Mr Macfarlane, applauded the move.