Coalition twists and turns on wind and solar as ACT Libs embrace 100% renewables

The conservative Coalition parties appear to be having a massive debate with themselves about whether to support, or oppose, wind and solar – between those who claim wind and solar don’t work, to those who have accepted it is the way of the future.

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In the same week that Craig Kelly, the climate denier Liberal MP appointed to head the Coalition’s environment and energy committee, called for the end of subsidies to wind and solar, the ACT branch of the Liberal Party has suddenly decided to support the territory’s 100 per cent renewable energy target.

That target, the brainchild of outgoing Labor environment and energy minister Simon Corbell, with support from the Greens, is on track to be met by 2020, and the contracts have been locked in.

But until now it has been vigorously opposed by the ACT Liberals, whose leader Jeremy Hanson said in April that it was “too much, too fast” and even linked it with the cost of parking in the territory. He said that the cost of such targets was “enormous” and would push consumer bills “through the roof.”

Now, they have had a rethink, and it might have something to do with the upcoming elections, and the apparent popularity of the ACT’s push into the wind and solar industry, which, as it turns out, won’t cost consumers anywhere near what the Liberals said it would. In fact, it may cost very little, and will have huge benefits for the ACT economy.

“The Canberra Liberals are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging the use and advancement of renewable energy. It’s important to lead the way here in the ACT,” ACT Liberal Nicole Lawder said.

“We are also committed to the interim target of 40 percent less than 1990 levels of carbon emissions.

“We recognise that renewable energy is an important part of our transition to a low emissions economy and the Canberra Liberals are committed to protecting our environment for future generations.”

That’s a nice change. The conservatives in the Northern Territory went to their election last week with a virulently pro-gas agenda and saying some perfectly ridiculous things about the cost of solar and battery storage. There were plenty of other issues, but they lost government and won just one seat out of a 25 seat assembly.

In the federal arena, many in the Coalition are continuing undaunted. The Coalition is still trying to push through legislation to strip $1 billion of funds from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and it trying to curb the sort of state-based targets that have made the ACT a centre for renewable energy and innovation in the country.

Kelly, though, is taking Coalition thought to the extremes often found in Murdoch media. He declares himself to be a disciple of one of the Coalition’s favourite polemicist, Bjorn Lomborg, who argues against wind and solar because they don’t work and new technology is needed to reduce emissions.

“I’m in Bjorn Lomborg’s camp, you have to put resources into a technological breakthroughs because [wind and solar] is on periphery and having so little effect,” Kelly was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

It is, though, yet another argument for delay. The ACT, at least, is not delaying at all. It will be at 100 per cent renewables within four years, and the local conservatives are saying they are very happy about that.

Comments

11 responses to “Coalition twists and turns on wind and solar as ACT Libs embrace 100% renewables”

  1. Robert Comerford Avatar
    Robert Comerford

    It seems clear at the moment that the way ahead is via state governments not federal in Australia. The USA seems to be on the same path with California leading the way.

    1. nakedChimp Avatar
      nakedChimp

      We probably got lucky that the ff lobbyists didn’t *convince* enough locals but did concentrate their efforts in the palaces of power to get it their way.
      With enough room left to maneuver the basis now turns around and the leaders have a real problem on their hands – rebellion 😉

    2. Ian Avatar
      Ian

      Actually, everyone needs to play their part, we might live in a nanny state but that does not mean we have to suckle on the government breast for every idea or initiative!

  2. Chris Fraser Avatar
    Chris Fraser

    My 3kW saves me over $400 annually from an energy bill of over $1200. But his objection must be that my PV has so little effect for his own benefit.

  3. Matthew Wright Avatar
    Matthew Wright

    ACT can’t stop here. A new target is now required. 100% renewables within the physical boundary of the ACT. This can be achieved as the cost of solar has dropped significantly since the ACT got going with its original groundbreaking target. All commercial, domestic and industrial roofs should be taken advantage of with panels on 1. North, 2. West, 3, East and 4. South. (prioritising from 1-4) until they meet the territory’s annual need of something like 400GWh (Sorry I’m not up-to-date on their latest annual energy demand but the last figure from 5 or so years ago that springs to mine is 338GWh)

    1. Ian Avatar
      Ian

      The ACT 100% target is fantastic and scores numerous political brownie points but does it address the intermittency problem. Their renewable projects are most commendable and put pressure on coal power in other states but they are not 100% renewable , 100% of the time. They need to address that to truely make the 100% claim. ACT Labor’s Simon Corbell has laid the ground work. Can ‘we-are-also-100%-renewables’ liberals show us how they can take renewables to the next level?

      1. Matthew Wright Avatar
        Matthew Wright

        One step at a time, due to the cost of storage, they should continue with their modest storage trial and simulate the rest based on a net zero energy ACT within borders – that’s the best place for the money to be spent at this stage as their will be a good ROI on it. Storage which can be modelled can be added progressively with slower targets as costs come down. Also the ACT government can consider oversizing renewables within the ACT so a higher percentage of load is directly met by in-territory resources and excesses are sold into the NSW pool. This is also much cheaper than storage.

        1. Ian Avatar
          Ian

          The question then is can the ACT tender for greater than 100% renewables? Could they on-sell the electricity excess to their needs or perhaps sub-tender some of their current projects to other states?

          They could partner with other states to improve inter-connectivity such as with Tasmania to share their considerable hydro resources.

          1. Matthew Wright Avatar
            Matthew Wright

            No I think that’s really playing in the “net” trading game and they’ve achieved that. The next logical goal is to bring the net inside borders while concurrently building inside border storage. The in territory renewable rollout should be aggressive (no more than 2023) while the storage ramp up a bit more moderate to allow prices to come down. (2026)

  4. Colin Edwards Avatar
    Colin Edwards

    Craig Kelly must inhabit that other planet where there is no sunshine and no wind.

    1. Ren Stimpy Avatar
      Ren Stimpy

      Hisanus?

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