Big renewables need big support: Local Energy Hubs can help us through the change 

This week, a new report highlighted strong support for the shift to renewable energy among Australians. However, it also found that this support is softening.

The research, conducted by Ipsos, confirmed what we already know: a climate of rising cost of living and higher household energy bills are making support for renewable energy fragile – even though the cause of these higher bills is largely fossil fuel price hikes caused by the war in Ukraine.

The report also pointed out that the communications environment around climate and the energy shift is complex and confusing. Public understanding of the shift and the technologies involved is poor, and communication gaps are being filled with misinformation.

Most Australians believe the shift has yet to begin, even though we’re close to halfway there with 40% of our electricity being generated by renewable sources – and this will double in the next decade. 

The shift to renewables is complex and support is not unconditional. For those of us living in the regional communities being asked to host new, large-scale infrastructure – we need access to accurate information, we need quality engagement, and we need opportunities to participate in decisions that impact us.

The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC), comprising state and territory energy ministers, recently met to discuss reforms to better support consumers, workers, and industry in the shift to renewable energy.

They also published their response to last year’s Community Engagement Review by the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, acknowledging that “such a major transformation of our energy system inevitably involves some upheaval, and supporting communities through this change is paramount in ensuring its success.”

It’s great the ECMC recognise the importance of community acceptance and quality engagement, but it’s time to turn words into action.

This shift to clean energy is too important to be left to engagement by project developers, which can vary depending on the quality of the developer. It overlooks the broader role communities play in the energy transformation – as hosts of large projects as well as leaders in energy efficiency within their homes, businesses, farms, and communities.

Developers must execute their projects well, but this transformation is not happening in a vacuum. We need the government to proactively support and resource communities to understand, participate in, and benefit from the energy transformation.

The crucial role of everyday people is reflected in the government’s and AEMO’s identification of Consumer Energy Resources (CER) – the panels on our roofs, batteries, electric vehicles, and smart appliances. These resources have the potential to lower bills, improve reliability, and cut network costs by reducing the need for grid-scale investment.

But the ECMC also recognised the importance of community buy-in and understanding of how all these things work, so we can ensure that the  benefits are maximised.

How can the government turn words into action? 

Both large-scale projects and CER present immense opportunities for communities. However, harnessing these opportunities requires solid community buy-in and support from local brokers who can guide communities through this complex and fast-moving process.

With the right support, communities can navigate the multifaceted landscape of renewable energy and transmission and fully capitalise on the benefits of the energy transition.

For over a decade, RE-Alliance and Community Power Agency have been bringing communities, industry, and governments together to deliver tangible benefits for communities hosting energy infrastructure. As leaders of these organisations, living in rural communities at the heart of the renewable energy transformation, we know communities need a touch point. 

Together with our colleagues at the Yes2Renewables, we have pooled our collective expertise to develop the concept of Local Energy Hubs and advocate for governments to resource and fund them. These hubs would serve as outreach centres, providing services to support communities in understanding and participating in the shift to renewable energy, from the small stuff to the big stuff.

They would be crucial touchpoints for developers, helping to earn trust in communities for their projects through quality communication and engagement. They would also address barriers to accessing household electrification, such as lack of time or quality advice, and tackle complex challenges like ensuring community input on large-scale projects proposed for their regions. 

Big renewables mean big changes for communities. Local Energy Hubs can ensure regions are placed at the centre of this change and have all the tools they need to direct opportunities to meet local needs and aspirations. 

Jarra Hicks is a director of Community Power Agency. Andrew Bray is the national director of RE Alliance.