Cloudy Outcome Of COAG Energy Council

A COAG Energy Council meeting took place today (Friday 19 August) that was billed as one the most critical meetings about Australia’s energy future. Unfortunately it has come to the end with few clear conclusions for Australia’s necessary transition to renewable energy, giving an apparent nod to the fierce campaign by fossil fuel incumbents, according to Solar Citizens

“It’s safe to say this is a disappointing outcome at a time when we urgently need real, practical and meaningful policy interventions that drive change the community wants,” said Claire O’Rourke, National Director, Solar Citizens.

“What we wanted to see from the COAG Energy Council is an agreement that a fundamental rewrite of our energy laws is needed to facilitate the orderly transition to 100% renewable power and the steps to get that process underway.

This is a real missed opportunity for these Ministers to recognise the need for best practice strategic planning for the transition of our energy systems, a transition that is already well advanced.

“The recognition of the importance of battery storage is an important step, but this seems to be largely clouded over by the recognition of the gas industry’s campaigning efforts,” she said.

“We need a coherent plan for the national energy market, a clear road map for the path to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and national recognition that the future of our country must be powered by clean energy,” O’Rourke said.