Renewable Energy Target Launched as Key Election Campaign Issue
Monday, 23 October 2006 22:44
The groups released a report today “The Great Opportunity: 25% Renewable Energy for NSW” which outlines that a 25% renewable energy target for NSW would conservatively deliver:
* 4,000 new permanent jobs
* $9 billion new investment in NSW
* 4000 MW new electricity generation capacity equivalent to 2 coal-fired power stations
* A 13 % reduction in electricity sector greenhouse emissions on current levels by 2020
* Enough renewable electricity to power every household in NSW
Releasing the report at the Earthpower Technologies bioenergy plant in Western Sydney where food waste is turned into electricity NCC Director Cate Faehrmann said today:
“Australia has woken up to climate change in recent months. It’s important that now we start implementing some big solutions. A 25 per cent renewable energy target for NSW would see thousands of jobs created, billions of dollars worth of investment and a reduction in NSW’s greenhouse pollution. All we need is the political will to make it happen.”
Greenpeace Energy campaigner Mark Wakeham said:
“NSW is being left behind in the race for renewables. Since 2001 South Australia has installed 215 wind turbines while NSW has installed 2. In NSW there is no incentive in place to develop new renewable energy projects. Victoria and South Australia have seen the benefits of renewables and legislated their own state targets. Now its time that Premier Iemma gets serious about climate change and follows suit with a target to guarantee the growth of renewable energy in NSW. A 25 per cent target would generate enough clean energy to power every house in NSW.”
Total Environment Centre Director Jeff Angel said today:
“NSW should grasp this great opportunity to win back leadership on climate change. Emissions from electricity are rising rapidly in NSW, and renewable energy is key to the solution. $3 billion dollars worth of renewable energy projects are in the pipeline in NSW, but none may get built without Government action.”
Ms Faehrmann concluded:
“The introduction of a renewable energy target is a key ask in the lead up to the March state election. Climate change is the number one environmental issue for the state election, and if we’re going to address climate change we need targets to reduce greenhouse pollution, targets to kick-start renewable energy and a commitment to begin the shift away from polluting coal."
See full report: The Great Opportunity: 25% Renewable Energy for NSW [110KB]
