If insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results, then what is again being inflicted upon Australia’s renewable energy sector might fit that particular definition.
The Senate has given the green light to yet another review of renewable energy – the ninth in just three years. The Senate inquiry will focus on wind farms and include an examination of their economic impact and health effects.
“This is a farcical situation given that the industry is still awaiting the outcome of the government’s recent Warburton Review as well as another legislated review of the Renewable Energy Target by the Climate Change Authority,” said Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh.
“It is unclear how yet another review could draw any different conclusions given the many inquiries and reviews already undertaken in Australia. It is pretty obvious this inquiry is about politics rather than science, and it’s basically just Groundhog Day for this industry yet again.”
Mr. Marsh says the latest review would be a waste of taxpayer money, will only prolong the uncertainty facing the sector and further confirm Australia’s reputation as a country that is not committed to developing renewables.
“While we are always open to scrutiny into the economic impacts, health impacts, compliance, aerial operations, firefighting, and lifecycle emissions of wind power, these issues have already been extensively reviewed and considered in the past – and each time the evidence has been stronger that wind energy can easily answer all the accusations of its most devoted critics,” he said.
Investment in the local large scale renewables sector is already in steep decline, with this year dropping 70 percent compared with 2013.
Independent senators Nick Xenophon, John Madigan, David Leyonhjelm and Bob Day joined forces to set up the inquiry.
The Clean Energy Council has also expressed dismay at a new proposal concerning the Renewable Energy Target tabled by Senator Leyonhjelm, saying it would destroy the future of renewables in Australia while pushing up power prices.
The CEC says the proposal seeks to reward all existing hydro generation through the Renewable Energy Target (RET) – but at the expense of investment in newer types of renewable generation such as large-scale solar.
“This proposal would lead to a wealth transfer of more than $900 million a year, or $13.5 billion between now and 2030, paid to existing hydro power at the expense of much of the planned $14.5 billion of investment in new large-scale renewable energy,” said Clean Energy Council Acting Chief Executive Kane Thornton.
While Mr. Thornton acknowledges hydro plays an important role in Australia’s energy mix; the goal of the Renewable Energy Target is to stimulate investment in new renewable capacity; not to support capacity that was already in place. Hydro is already eligible under the RET, in the form of incentives for the maintenance and upgrade of existing hydro generation.
The CEC labels Senator Leyonhjelm’s proposal as “economic vandalism” and has called on all parties to return to negotiations in search of a sensible outcome for the RET.
Image Credit: April King
