Released yesterday, Labor’s Climate Change Action Plan outlines how the Opposition would work towards its goal of 50 per cent of Australia’s electricity being sourced from renewable energy by 2030.
Part of the Plan involves the investment of $206.6m in the Australian Renewable Energy Agency ( ARENA) to support a specific Concentrated Solar Thermal funding round and $98.7m to establish a Community Power Network and Regional Hubs.
The Network and Hubs would assist in addressing the challenges of implementing renewables in social and community housing, rental properties and apartment living.
A Labor government would also “lead by example” as a direct purchaser of renewable energy.
“..a Labor Government will, from 2018, work with energy providers to enter into Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) equal to bringing Commonwealth energy use up to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030,” states the policy fact sheet (PDF). ” These would be 10-15 year contracts, and would provide the certainty needed for long term investment in the renewable energy sector.”
Labor says it will also restore flexibility to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation ( CEFC) by broadening its Investment Mandate.
“Labor’s commitment to ensure that at least 50% of the nation’s electricity is renewable by 2030 is central to our ambition for Australia to reclaim its place among the top 5 renewable energy nations in the world,” stated Shadow environment minister Mark Butler.
The Opposition has also committed to an orderly transition from old heavily polluting coal fired power stations, with appropriate support for workers and communities.
The Clean Energy Council was positive about the policy.
“Obviously we welcome higher and longer-term ambition for deploying renewable energy given its massive potential in Australia, and are confident that increased ambition can be delivered at low cost,” said CEC Chief Executive Kane Thornton.
“It is also great to see a clear plan for reforming the energy market and phasing out some of Australia’s oldest and most polluting coal fired power plants. These are important reforms that can level the playing field for clean energy and reduce our energy sector emissions.”
Solar Citizens also welcomed the initiatives.
“The announcement shows the ALP has a plan for an orderly, managed transition of our energy sector which will ensure Australia grabs a $800bn slice of the global renewable energy boom that is on our doorstep – it’s a positive step towards the clean energy future Australians want to see,” said Solar Citizens’ National Director, Claire O’Rourke.
