The New South Wales state election will be held on Saturday, 28 March 2015 and solar power commitments are featuring in Labor’s attempts to woo voters.
Announced last Friday, Labor’s Solar Schools policy would see up to 1,700 schools receive around $40,000 each to pay for the installation of a solar panel system.
The ALP says the initiative will help schools reduce power bills, provide educational opportunities and help support the State’s renewable energy sector.
“This is part of Labor’s new approach to education. We will build the schools of the future with modern facilities – including integrating renewable energy to lower our schools’ carbon footprint,” said Opposition Leader Luke Foley.
Shadow Minister for Education Ryan Park said Labor has a strong history of supporting environmental sustainability and this initiative would continue the tradition.
“Our kids will learn about renewable energy, schools will have lower power bills and do their bit to tackle climate change – it’s a win all-round.”
Previously the NSSP (National Solar Schools Program) provided grants for the installation of systems nationally, but that initiative ended some time ago. Around 500 New South Wales schools benefited from the NSSP.
The $70 million needed for Labor’s program will come from its A Better Way (PDF) infrastructure program, and will be delivered without privatising the electricity network as planned by the Baird Government – a rather controversial topic in New South Wales.
Labor’s environmental and energy policies released last week also promise a fair price for solar electricity exports and focus on decentralised electricity generation. The party also recognises the importance of energy storage.
“Reliable and affordable battery storage will transform the energy sector as completely as email transformed the postal system,” says Labor’s Plan For Our Environment.
A NSW Labor Government also intends to deliver 20% of the state’s electricity use from renewable sources by 2020, and would legislate this target. Current renewable energy consumption in the state is around 12%.
Other highlights from the Plan include a commitment to remove what it calls the Coalition Government’s draconian restrictions on approvals for wind farm developments and the establishment of an Office of Renewables within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Labor has also committed to purchasing electricity for NSW Government departments and agencies from renewable sources.
