By establishing a single governing body to oversee renewable energy projects Australia could leap to the head of the global renewable race.
Max Sylvester, co-founder of solar company, Energy Matters, says that if the Australian government was serious about becoming a world-leader in the battle for global renewable energy market-share it would take a leaf from the European clean energy book, citing Danish wind farm policy.
The huge success of this renewable power source – wind farm technology accounts for one-fifth of total electricity generated in Denmark – is attributed to a streamlining of administration between government and grid providers, including a deal which allows the general public to purchase shares in wind farms and turbines built near their communities. Australia receives more sunshine per square metre than any other country and could easily adopt a similar system to Denmark to establish large scale solar farms.
“Giving communities the opportunity to become part-owners of their own renewable energy industries is one of the best ways to make large-scale renewable power projects socially acceptable. If those huge wind turbines spinning off the coast along with solar farms collecting sunshine on the drought-ravaged land are generating income, as well as clean, green electricity for households, people are more likely to support them,” Mr Sylvester said.
To ensure efficiency in the renewable energy industry, the Danish Energy Authority also created a single governing body, made up from representatives of several ministries and the nation’s energy grid provider, Energinet. This single government entity selects locations for wind turbines, receives tenders and manages research into better wind farm technology.
Mr Sylvester says he’d like to see both sides of politics embrace initiatives that lead to real, measurable clean energy results in Australia.
“The Denmark example shows just how successful clever renewable energy policy can be. If we are serious about reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, which are finite, and stimulating the renewable energy industry here in Australia, we need to bring providers and government agencies under one umbrella, focused solely on making us the world leader in clean energy production,” he said.
