Hold on a minute! Recent media coverage has presented some information attributed to IEEFA, and we need to set the record straight. This is about ensuring accuracy in the energy debate.
On December 9, 2025, IEEFA released a statement concerning how our analysis was represented in the media. Specifically, several Australian newspapers published an article on October 30, 2025, titled "ETU reveals massive gap in Qld coal power maintenance budget." The article highlighted comments from Peter Ong, the QLD/NT State Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), made during a Queensland parliamentary hearing.
Mr. Ong was reported to have referenced IEEFA's analysis concerning the maintenance costs of coal generators in Queensland. However, here's where it gets nuanced: The figures presented were actually the ETU's analysis, as detailed in their submission to the QLD Governance, Energy and Finance Committee Energy Roadmap Amendment Bill 2025. You can find this submission at the following address: (https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/com/GEFC-11EE/ERAB2025-60E3/submissions/00000001.pdf). The ETU's analysis did, however, draw upon historical coal generator refurbishment cost figures from IEEFA's April 2025 report, titled "Delaying coal power exits: A risk we can’t afford" (https://ieefa.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/Delaying%20coal%20power%20exits-Apr25.pdf).
So, what's the takeaway? While IEEFA's research informed the ETU's analysis, the specific figures and conclusions were those of the ETU. It's crucial to differentiate between the sources to maintain transparency and accuracy in reporting.
And this is the part most people miss: This situation underscores the importance of correctly attributing data and analysis, especially in complex fields like energy economics. It highlights how different organizations can use the same data to arrive at their own conclusions.
About IEEFA: The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) is dedicated to examining issues related to energy markets, trends, and policies. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable, and profitable energy economy. (ieefa.org)
What do you think? Does this clarification change your understanding of the original reporting? Do you believe proper attribution is always crucial, or are there times when the source is less important than the information itself? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
