Gas fired recovery, page-6

The problem with renewables is the unreliability. The fact that you cannot guarantee generation means renewables cannot be used for base load generation. Whilst batteries could resolve this issue, the technology and expense makes it unviable. This probably won't change until a carbon price is established.

That's where Finkel and others believe gas powered generators will ease the transition. Peaking gas fired power stations have an additional advantage over coal fired plants, with flexible fast-starting generation.

This is why gas will provide the transition. Given there is no appetite for any new coal fired power plants, gas generation will deliver replacement baseload and the additional flexibility the network needs with the increase in renewables.