Is Parkes gas power station a stalking horse for power sell-off?

Dr Kaye said: "International Power put forward their gas turbines project in response to a 2006 call from NW transmission system operator TransGrid to address power supply constraints in the Cowra, Forbes and Parkes area.
 
"TransGrid has since announced it intends to build a 132 kV line from Manildra to Parkes.
 
"With this additional transmission capacity, the Parkes area will have access to the entire NSW grid.
 
"The local system constraints will be removed and International Power's gas plant will be largely redundant.
 
"Building the turbines will do nothing for local supply reliability but will add to regional air quality problems and local noise impacts.
 
"It is hard to understand why International Power is pushing ahead with its proposal in the face of TransGrid's intention to build a new power line unless it is for strategic reasons that are not related to the local power supply.
 
"International Power would gain a toehold in the NSW electricity market in the run up to the Iemma government's attempt to sell off the industry.
 
"The UK-based multinational owns two large coal-fired power stations in Victoria but has no operating assets in NSW.
 
"The Parkes proposal is increasingly looking like a corporate strategic move that has no benefits to the local community.
 
"The people of Parkes are at risk of being used to position International Power as a main player in the privatisation of NSW's electricity industry.
 
"This is yet another good reason to oppose the sell-off of the state's generators and retailers," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455