VPRS 9853 Submissions to the Committee of Inquiry into Electricity Generation and the Sharing of Resources in South East Australia

This series comprises files that contain inwards and copies of outwards correspondence, drafts of submissions and final reports created by Ian Bates, Chief Engineer of the Transmission and Design department. Mr Bates was appointed as the State Electricity Commission (SEC) representative to the Committee of Inquiry into electricity generation and the sharing of power resources in South - East Australia, which was established in 1981 by the Commonwealth Government as a joint Federal - State Committee.The function of the Committee was to inquire into the feasibility of establishing a strongly integrated South-East Australian electricity power grid through further co-operative governmental arrangements. The inquiry was to proceed under the following terms of reference:to examine the provision of increased capacity to exchange power across state borders to ensure continuity of power supplies and optimum use of fuel resources; and,to examine the need for possible location and type of new power stations to support the establishment of a grid.The Committee in considering the above was also asked to take into account:a) alternative sources of energy, andb) the technical feasibility, and the economic, social and environmental impact of any recommendations.The recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry resulted in the establishment, in 1984, of an Interconnection Management Committee. The Interconnection Committee had representatives from all the relevant state electricity commissions and was briefed to investigate the most economical and practical methods of connecting the power grids of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.