The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has launched two important publications that will assist electricity and gas investment in Australia.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has published the National Transmission Statement and the 2009 Gas Statement of Opportunities.
Speaking in Melbourne, Minister Ferguson said: "An efficient, reliable and flexible energy market has for decades underpinned Australia's economic prosperity.
"Australia's growing population and the diversification of energy supply means generation and network investment in the order of $100 billion is needed in the next decade.
"These publications will help maintain our market's efficiency, reliability, and flexibility by giving investors the information they need."
AEMO has completed market simulations to help understand the need for transmission investment under the Government's climate change policies. This modelling outlines how the generation sector may change, the new technologies expected to evolve, and the expanded Renewable Energy Target's impact on the transmission network.
The first Gas Statement of Opportunities provides a 20 year outlook on demand, reserves and production, and transmissions capacity for eastern and south-eastern Australia and is the first document to provide such comprehensive planning information for gas markets in Australia.
Minister Ferguson said: "This document is timely in light of the growing interdependence between gas and electricity and the significant investment in gas-fired electricity generation anticipated in the coming years."
Established on July 1, 2009, AEMO operates the electricity and gas energy markets in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
AEMO's creation followed a Council of Australian Governments decision of April 2007 to strengthen Australia's national energy market governance arrangements and was completed following an intensive process between the government and industry.