Queenslanders are being urged to go easy on the air-con this summer to guarantee power supply. The State Government is confident our electricity network can cope with peak demand. But they say we can help ease the load and save money at the same time.

Tom Copley reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Queenslanders love their air conditioners.

They provide relief during increasingly long and hot summers.

But now the government’s urging consumers to turn up their air cons from 24 to 26 degrees to help guarantee power supply.

VOX 1: “I like the idea in concept, but whether I could actually sit through 26 degrees to be honest, I don’t know that I could, but I do agree with one degree higher.”

The Energy Minister told parliament that households could play a vital part in securing supply.

Mark Bailey, Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply: “A peaksmart air conditioner helps reduce peak demand by dropping your air conditioner into economy mode when the network is experiencing extreme demand.”

The government may also ask businesses to prevent any other non-essential electricity use, including turning off advertising lights, especially during peak demand periods.

Mark Bailey says the Peaksmart scheme has a financial incentive.

Mark Bailey, Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply: “That means a household or small business will receive a cash reward of up to $400 if they purchase a peaksmart air-conditioner.”

VOX 2: “I would think that, 26 degrees will make a lot of people very tired and so I don’t think it’s a good idea, I don’t think its reasonable.”

The energy debate heating up.

Tom Copley, QUT News.