Mr Frydenberg said the strategy of blaming the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) for last week’s blackout backfired.
SA Labor claimed that the Pelican Point power station, which could have eased the situation, could only come online if directed by the AEMO.
However, a statement released by the AEMO refuted these claims:
“Based on where our investigations are at, AEMO does not accept public statements being made questioning AEMO’s capability or that we didn’t manage the power system in a safe, secure state.
“Further, AEMO does not accept the assertions that some generators that were available to enter into the market could not do so.”
As it turns out, the State Government does have the power to declare an emergency situation and direct the AEMO, something that was admitted a day after the blackout.
Speaking on the recent blackouts that have affected South Australia, Mr Frydenberg said the instability in the state’s energy networks was a serious issue.
“It’s now clear to all South Australians that Jay Weatherill’s “big experiment” has failed,” said Mr Frydenberg.
“It’s time Bill Shorten and his state Labor colleagues admit they were wrong and abandon their ideological pursuit of 50 per cent Renewable Energy Targets, which are contributing to the instability of the system, rising electricity prices and sending jobs and investment offshore.”