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Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton says it is infeasible to rely entirely on renewables to meet the country’s electricity needs.
His comments come when current energy minister, Chris Bowen, is calling on the private sector to step up investment in renewable energy as Australia’s electricity and gas costs soar.
Dutton told Nine Network that the energy grid would always need coal or gas to support it.
“That’s the scientific reality. The story of batteries and storage. [Prime Minister] What Anthony Albanese is talking about is not the scientific reality of 2022, “he said.
“In reality, we tackle these problems every day. Ukraine has not only been in war, but has been in war for months. Since labor, there have been no problems with energy supply. [came into power].. “
Australians are facing rising energy prices as the grid is exposed to pressure from multiple sides.
The Ukrainian War has boosted global demand for gas and encouraged local producers to shift supply abroad as prices rise.
At the same time, the east coast of Australia has been hit by cold waves, increasing local demand. However, due to long-term public support for climate change, many aging coal-fired power plants are not maintained and are unable to produce more electricity in response to breakdowns and demand.
Energy regulators have sought to mitigate the new crisis by intervening directly in the market and claiming more control over energy producers. This is a move with the support of the Labor Party government.
At the same time, Prime Minister Albanese and Minister of Energy Bowen continue to promote renewable energy and more ambitious emission reduction targets, approving new emission targets of 43% instead of 26-28% by 2030.
On June 17, Bowen told the Climate Change Investment Finance Summit that the government would provide companies with a “framework, certainty and partnership” to increase their investment in green energy.
“By unleashing our investment, we show that the global climate emergency is certainly an Australian employment opportunity,” he told the summit.
The event is hosted by the Climate Change Investor Group (IGCC), which is made up of leading Australian and New Zealand fund managers. This includes the Australian Council of Aging Investors, AustralianSuper, BlackRock, Cbus, Vanguard and more.
Fund managers have been a major force in encouraging investment in renewable energy and encouraging listed companies to adopt climate change policies.
“To continue to insist on all Australians that good climate policy is good for investment and work, we need a group like the IGCC,” Bowen said.
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Daniel Y. Teng is based in Sydney. He focuses on national politics, including federal politics, COVID-19 response, and relations between Australia and China. Do you have a hint? Contact him at [email protected].
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