In SA recycling business goes broke due to electricity cost — thank renewables for making recycling impossible

A business processing 15% of Australia’s low grade plastics survived for 37 years with coal fired power in SA, and for one year without:

South Australia’s sky-high electricity prices have forced an Adelaide plastics recycling business to shut its doors, costing 35 workers their jobs, its managing director says. Plastics Granulating Services (PGS), based in Kilburn in Adelaide’s inner-north, said it had seen its monthly power bills increase from $80,000 to $180,000 over the past 18 months.

Managing director Stephen Scherer said the high cost of power had crippled his business of 38 years and plans for expansion, and had led to his company being placed in liquidation. “I hate to think of how many hours I’ve wasted on the AEMO website with tools to monitor spot pricing, to assess the implications of power, the trends of power and the future costs of power.

The SA Government is still in denial:

SA Environment Minister Ian Hunter said it was disappointing the facility was shutting down, but he said the pain of high electricity prices was being felt across the country. Mr Hunter said help was available through the State Government’s energy efficiency programs.

“Green Industries and Zero Waste have quite a bit of expertise in this area [and] they’ve worked with other companies and other industry sectors,” he said. “If that help is not required then that’s up to him, but that’s the offer I can make.”

“Having high power prices … is a reality,” he said.

“That’s why the Government has introduced its state plan for energy in South Australia.

Commenter Bulldust:

“It’s a shame most Greens supporters don’t get irony.

You want renewable energy or recycling? Pick one…

h/t Bulldust, OriginalSteve, David Maddison

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