'Never more critical': Government pressed on low-carbon recovery study

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This was published 3 years ago

'Never more critical': Government pressed on low-carbon recovery study

By Peter Hannam

The Berejiklian government is being urged by a lower house committee to report within months how the promotion of low-carbon technologies can help revive NSW's economy as well as reducing its dependence on coal.

The five-member lower house Committee on Environment and Planning - three of whom are Liberal MPs - last week agreed to ask the government for the study of the employment and investment opportunities that can be generated by the renewable energy sector and a shift to a low-carbon economy.

Vales Point coal-fired power plant: Government-dominated committee wins backing for a report on how to spur the state's post-COVID-19 recovery by shifting to renewable energy and off fossil fuels.

Vales Point coal-fired power plant: Government-dominated committee wins backing for a report on how to spur the state's post-COVID-19 recovery by shifting to renewable energy and off fossil fuels.Credit: Peter Rae

Alex Greenwich, the independent MP who is also chair of the committee, said the workforce and economic opportunities from accelerating the take-up of wind and solar energy would be "critical" for the state's rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our committee has heard thousands of new jobs are waiting to be created and there has never been a more important time for this," Mr Greenwich said.

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The jobs range from construction related to the building of new transmission and storage for the power sector, investment in hydrogen technology, to stepping up energy efficiency in homes and businesses that would have lasting benefits.

"There is a lot NSW can do to future proof our economy by increasing access and supply of renewable energy both locally and for export," he said.

The committee had planned to hold hearings into its energy inquiry by now in places such as the Hunter Valley, before the coronavirus-linked lockdowns delayed the events.

The recent collapse in export thermal coal prices - now trading at about half their levels of two years ago - has only added to the urgency of weaning the region off fossil fuels, Mr Greenwich said.

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"What is going to happen to this region when these exports and dependency [on coal] drop off further?" he said. "This has to be an area of priority."

Renewable energy jobs will help the regions. This solar array is at Glencore's copper mine near Cobar in the state's north-west.

Renewable energy jobs will help the regions. This solar array is at Glencore's copper mine near Cobar in the state's north-west.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean, who has said he aims to accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy in NSW, said he would respond to the committee's request "shortly".

“I welcome the committee’s support for ensuring a strong and sustainable economic recovery from COVID-19 and their approach to seeking expert input on this matter," Mr Kean said.

The committee members include Liberal MPs, Felicity Wilson, James Griffin and Nathaniel Smith, and Labor's Anoulack Chanthivong.

Rooftop solar energy installations were almost 900 megawatts in the first four months of this year, with new systems in April more than 50 per cent higher than the same month in 2019, Green Energy Markets reported on Friday. The impact on business of the coronavirus, however, will likely show a big fall in solar demand in coming months.

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