Australian Energy Producers announced the appointment of Peter Kos as director for Victoria and NSW to champion the role of natural gas in the country’s transition towards cleaner energy futures.
Kos brings over three decades of experience in public affairs, spanning across government, industry groups, and corporations.
His appointment comes against the backdrop of regulatory uncertainty and bans on new onshore gas development in both Victoria and NSW, which industry insiders argue undermines the critical role of gas in achieving net-zero emissions, the association said in a media release.
In particular, Kos has outlined his primary focus as ensuring the industry’s ability to invest confidently in new gas supplies, which millions of households and businesses in NSW and Victoria continue to rely on.
Kos stressed the urgency of action, underscoring alerts issued by independent agencies like the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding possible supply shortages and the unreliability of Victoria’s electricity grid.
“Independent agencies such as AEMO and the ACCC continue to warn of future supply shortfalls in the southern states and the fragile unreliability of Victoria’s electricity supplies,” Kos remarked.
He also criticised the states for ideological opposition to gas development, citing Victoria’s reliance on its coal-based electricity grid and NSW’s legislative barriers to offshore gas exploration.
Asserting that the time for delay is over, Kos urged Victoria and NSW to prioritize national energy security over political ideologies and external reliance on other states.
“Enough is enough. These states must start acting in the national interest and stop outsourcing their energy security to Queensland,” he affirmed.
Samantha McCulloch, chief executive of Australian Energy Producers, expressed confidence in Kos’ ability to provide strong advocacy for members.
“Peter will be an important and authoritative voice for our members at a critical time for Australian energy policy,” she said.
