VIC: Sold off surplus defended

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2000
VIC: Sold off surplus defended

Yallourn Energy says surplus Victorian power sold to New South Wales will not have
been enough to meet demand in Victoria.

Yallourn chief executive MIKE JOHNSTON says if Victoria retains the surplus electricity
the state still will suffer power shortages during peak periods.

The ABC's 7.30 Report revealed last night that as Victoria suffered restrictions earlier
this week, a small amount of surplus power had been sold off to NSW.

The revelation left Premier STEVE BRACKS angry at the national power authority, the
National Electricity Market Management Company.

He says the government should have been informed of the sell-off.

But Mr JOHNSTON says when the government imposed restrictions yesterday, demand for
power fell dramatically, creating a surplus.

AAP RTV ljm/jlw/as/rt

KEYWORD: YALLOURN JOHNSTON (MELBOURNE)

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