Labor will be going to the next Australian federal election with the promise of implementing a target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
To be formally announced at this weekend’s national ALP conference in Melbourne, Labor’s environment spokesman Mark Butler said the target was ” an ambitious but doable goal.”
“We’ve looked at this very closely, we’ve read expert reports about what is happening in an industry that’s being profoundly transformed at the moment,” Mr Butler said.
Aside from environmental benefits, the goal of Labor’s energy policy is cheaper power bills.
“Minimising cost impact and making sure that the expansion of new energy puts downward pressure on power prices will be a key factor for Labor,” stated Mr. Butler.
The news has been welcomed by the Australian Solar Council.
“This means more solar jobs, more solar business and effective action on climate change,” said the Council’s CEO, John Grimes.
“Labor have listened and acted.”
Mr. Grimes says the Target would translate to 20,000 to 30,000 extra jobs and it was probably the biggest business opportunity in Australia’s history.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) also welcomed the news.
“The Australian Labor Party must be congratulated for taking such strong leadership and recognising the enormous role that renewable energy can play in Australia’s future, both in terms of dealing with the challenge of climate change and creating economic opportunities,” said CEC Chief Executive Kane Thornton.
“A much longer-term commitment to renewable energy will ensure that projects can continue to attract necessary finance up to and beyond 2020.”
The Coalition’s post-2020 Renewable Energy Target is still missing in action. If recent moves by the Abbott Government to are anything to go by, it won’t exactly be champing at the bit to exceed or even match Labor’s commitment.
During July, the Abbott Government’s assault on wind and solar has continued. In addition to directing the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to stop investing in wind farms, the Government also wants it to steer away from small-scale solar investments, potentially denying access to electricity bill savings that solar power systems can provide to many low-to-middle income families.
