The Clean Energy Council calls for more renewables

27th May 2013

We all know that renewable energy is the right way of heading into the future and securing the world's energy supply in a sustainable way.

As pressures on electricity networks rise during times of peak demand, it's renewable energy that saves the day as it feeds electricity back into the grid and eases the load – and this also eases electricity prices.

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) agrees, saying that Australia needs to invest in clean energy in order to maximise the economic potential for gas exports, and ensure energy affordability for domestic users.

"With a domestic supply crisis looming, gas prices are predicted to double or even triple within ten years on the east coast of Australia. If we don’t act soon to reduce consumption and invest in alternative sources of energy, that light at the end of the tunnel could turn out to be an oncoming freight train," said CEC's chief executive David Green.

"The cost of gas is high and rising, and it would be a mistake to convince ourselves that we’ve turned the corner on the cost of energy."

Mr Green says the solution is to diversify our energy supply with renewables such as solar power, and to invest in energy efficiency.

Large-scale renewable energy generation, using wind, bioenergy and solar power, may help to keep to keep electricity prices from skyrocketing.

Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET), which is 20 per cent renewable energy generation by 2020, has already delivered $18.5 billion in clean energy investment, with $3.7 billion's worth of projects currently in development.

The CEC also asserts that the amount consumers fund to fuel the RET policy is set to fall from six per cent of the average bill to just four per cent – making it even more worthwhile for the consumer.

"This represents a win-win for the industry and policymakers, who are currently grappling with the twin challenges of keeping energy prices affordable, but also continuing to make the best use of Australia’s enviable natural resources," said Mr Green.

Mr Green also commented that renewable sources of energy are more immune to international cost pressures which force up prices for both businesses and consumers, so making an effort to invest in renewable energy is a win-win strategy.

Posted by Bob Dawson

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