Federal MP for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly says 80 per cent of voters in his electorate put a “renewable future” on their Christmas wish list.
As the Labor member for the NSW South Coast electorate, Kelly says the Coalition is “completely paralysed” on energy policy.
Liberal candidate Dr Fiona Kotvojs also confirmed voters are most concerned about high power bills.
An example of renewable energy independence, Kotvojs lives entirely off grid in her Dignams Creek home. The property relies on solar power for electricity, and Kotvojs says this can be used “freely” for most of the year.
Labor heralds more ambitious National Energy Guarantee
The Coalition ditched the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) when Scott Morrison unseated former PM Malcolm Turnbull in September.
An August poll by Bega News found 91 of cent of readers in the Eden-Monaro district thought the NEG would not bring their power bills down.
However, ahead of next year’s election Labor now plans to resurrect the NEG. But NEG 2.0 would have a more ambitious emissions reduction target of 45 per cent by 2030, based on 2005 levels. The original NEG aimed to reduce emissions by 26 per cent.
With Eden-Monaro voters wanting a “renewable future”, Labor’s plan could help provide this. Residents could also reduce power bills through
Energy expert says solar energy reduces power bills
Households are now installing solar and wind technologies at an “amazing” rate. That’s the verdict of ANU solar researcher Professor Andrew Blakers.
Blakers will visit the Eden-Monaro region in February 2019. He will take part in Tathra’s Clean Energy for Eternity meeting. Tathra is aiming for 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
He says Australia is currently outpacing Europe in reducing greenhouse gases.
Meanwhile, households can reduce power bills and repay the cost of their solar panel installation in just a few years. With generous national and state rebates, solar installations and battery storage are now affordable to more people than ever.
A report released last month by Green Energy Markets also shows Australia on track to achieve 80 per cent renewable generation by 2030.
Labor plans solar battery roll-out for renewable future
Meanwhile, Bill Shorten’s Labor opposition will roll out solar battery rebates for up to 100,000 households if the party wins the next general election.
The $200 million program aims to triple the number of homes using energy storage. Solar batteries like Tesla Powerwall 2 and Enphase are helping owners manage power use and reduce bills.
More battery storage will also ease pressure on the electricity grid by reducing demand at peak times.
