The Greens launched Renew Australia on Sunday; a plan to transition the nation to at least 90% renewable energy by 2030.
“There is no escaping our economic future. It is clean and green or it is no future at all,” states the plan. ” Our past prosperity relied on coal-fired power, but coal can no longer secure us a prosperous and safe future.”
The plan offers two scenarios; both of which see a new government authority called RenewAustralia set up to help drive the transition
Under both pathways and in addition to massive growth for large scale renewables, the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) would continue to support the uptake of residential and commercial solar power systems.
“To turn Australian’s enthusiasm for clean energy into reality, the Greens will put in place policies to allow every home or business that wants to put solar on their roof to do it.”
The plan also has a vision of ending energy poverty; caused in part by gold-plating of the current electricity network.
“For the same $9 billion a year we spend on poles and wires — which drives up bills and traps people into energy poverty — we could build up a smart, shared grid with clean power to drive electricity prices down instead of up.”
Those currently working in the coal sector wouldn’t be left unsupported by the shift to renewables. A $1 billion Clean Energy Transition Fund would assist coal workers and communities with the transition.
The Greens say their plan will create tens of thousands of jobs in the design and construction of new renewable energy generation, plus employment in operations and maintenance.
“The renewable energy industry already employs more people than coal and gas-fired power plants and is a jobs generator of the future.”
The Greens also intend putting a price back on carbon, saying it is essential to Australia’s future prosperity.
The party says the two pathways it offers will reduce Australia’s overall greenhouse emissions by at least 29% between now and 2030.
Renew Australia – Powering The New Economy can be viewed in full here (PDF)
Grass-roots group Solar Citizens welcomed the Renew Australia plan.
“We can and should do more as a nation to grown renewables and solar. The ACT is leading the way with a 100% renewables target by 2025 and there have been several days when renewables have met all electricity demand in South Australia,” said Solar Citizens Campaigns Director, Dan Scaysbrook.
“We need all our politicians on board with orderly plans to manage this shift so people can take control of power bills and no Australian gets left behind as the transition gathers speed.”
