Proposed changes to ARENA’s funding would mean support for new projects would essentially disappear.
100% Renewable’s accusation prior to the election that the Coalition was no friend of renewable energy is unfortunately proving to be an accurate charge.
Continuing its slash and burn approach to years of hard work in trying to make Australia a global renewable energy leader, the Government has announced it intends cutting funding to the Agency by $435 million. While this would not impact current projects; the Agency would be left with little to drive the further development of renewable energy.
The Clean Energy Council has expressed disappointment with the news.
“The government gave repeated commitments on its support for ARENA prior to the election and it is disappointing that the agency is now facing a significant budget reduction,” said the CEC’s Deputy Chief Executive Kane Thornton.
“Successive governments have now reduced and altered the level of ARENA’s funding during the short period since it was established. This unstable policy environment has had a clear impact on major technology innovators, developers and financiers, who will understandably be questioning their future in Australia.”
The Australian Solar Council has called on Parliament to block any attempt to gut the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
“The solar industry takes the government at its word when it says it is committed to tackling climate change and supporting the renewable energy industry in Australia, but so far we have only seen one half of the equation – the cuts,” said the Council’s Chief Executive, John Grimes. “Where are the government’s positive policies for direct action on climate change?”
“The work that ARENA does is an excellent example of Direct Action. This independent agency, with its annual funding prescribed in legislation, backs practical programs. This is about real action in the real world.”
The anti-renewable energy crusade may not be over yet – yesterday we reported it appears Prime Minister Abbott has the Renewable Energy Target in his sights next.
