PEP11 APPROVED?

Original NOPTA doc with recommended that PEP11 proceed to drill.PEP-11 and Santos' Hunter Gas Pipeline are among projects cited as necessary to stabilise energy gridBy Matthew KellyApril 12 2023 - 5:00amPower grid instability adding pressure to build Hunter gas projectsA looming east coast gas shortage has reinvigorated support for two of the Hunter's most controversial energy projects - Santos' Hunter Gas Pipeline project and Asset Energy's PEP-11.It comes as the Australian Energy Market Operator warns of potential grid instability and price spikes in coming years caused by gas shortfalls.AEMO's latest Gas Statement of Opportunities report found gas output in NSW, South Australia, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania would meet demand until 2027, but customers faced the prospect of shortfalls, particularly if cold weather coincided with low levels of renewable energy generation.Supporters of gas argue it will play an increasingly important role during the transition to renewable energy. Snowy's Hydro's 660 megawatt gas-fired peaking plant at Colongra on the Central Coast was credited with preventing blackouts during power shortfalls last winter.Snowy's new Kurri peaking plant was originally intended to be online to coincide with the closure of Liddell Power Station later this month, however, delays have meant the project will not open until late 2024.The Hunter Power Project at Kurri