The Labor Party has won the Northern Territory election – and this may also mean a big win for renewable energy in the Territory.
Labor leader Michael Gunner will benefit from a huge majority in the NT Parliament and the party will now have a solid opportunity to implement its Roadmap To Renewables initiative (PDF); a plan to transition the Territory to clean and safe power.
A Territory Labor Government will adopt a target of 50% renewable energy by 2030. Its first step will be to commission a new Road Map to Renewables report, which will set out the options to achieve this target.
A Renewable Energy Unit will also be established within the Department of the Chief Minister to provide expert advice on related technology, regulatory, financial and legal aspect of achieving the target.
Labor has also committed to guaranteeing the Territory’s 1:1 solar feed in tariff remaining unchanged while the Road map to Renewables plan is developed.
The new Government still sees gas as an important element of the NT’s energy mix, stating it will ensure the fossil fuel continues to provide stable base and peak load power during the transition to renewables.
“Labor has a proud record of supporting the gas industry, and will continue to do so if elected in August,” Mr Gunner said in July when launching the renewables policy.
“But we also recognise that investing in renewables creates jobs and will lead to lower power prices for Territorians.”
Labor has committed to a guarantee that any electricity price rises will be capped at CPI for its first term.
The Liberal NT government didn’t have a strong record for renewables; although programs such as the Home Improvement Scheme has been kicking goals for small scale solar – but more as a side effect rather than a focus. The Scheme provides vouchers of up to $2,000 to go towards minor home improvements such as the installation of solar power systems.
However, the Adam Giles-led government had been accused of mounting a scare campaign against solar recently and it was highly critical of Labor’s 50% renewable energy target, calling on NT Labor to “consider the national interest and abandon its unaffordable policy”. The Liberal party also strongly supported gas, particularly the development of gas resources within the Northern Territory.
