The Australian Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance) says that regional communities, particularly those living in renewable energy regions across Australia, can have certainty following the weekend’s federal election result.
RE-Alliance, an independent not-for-profit working for more than a decade with regional communities at the centre of the shift to renewables, is now calling for bipartisan support to put the needs of the regions first, saying ‘the nation has clearly endorsed the job we’re already halfway through completing: powering our national electricity grid with a mix of renewable sources.’
Australia’s national grid is already powered by a 40 per cent mix of renewables and storage. By the next federal election, Australia’s main electricity grid is expected to be more than two-thirds powered with renewables and storage.
Energy as a political football
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said, ‘Using energy as a political football creates uncertainty and risk for regional communities trying to plan for our future, when the job is already complex enough.
‘The federal election result was emphatic in removing any uncertainty of Australia’s national direction towards an energy system primarily powered by renewable sources. We now need to redouble our efforts to ensure the shift to renewables is actively contributing to the strength and resilience of our regions,’ said Mr Bray.
‘We now have a chance to reset and come together in renewable energy regions and stop the politicking.
‘Instead, let’s take the opportunity to work with our communities to ensure that renewable projects are done right.’
Support for renewables
‘Polling consistently shows that people in the regions generally support the shift to renewable energy – so long as it’s done in a way that benefits our communities and minimises impacts on nature,’ said Mr Bray.
‘We look forward to working with regional MPs from all parties on practical solutions, like Local Energy Hubs, that ensure regional communities have the information and resources to participate in and benefit from the energy shift that is underway across the country.
‘There is no stronger way to indicate to rural and regional Australia that you’re putting them first in the rollout,’ he said.
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