RE-Alliance has responded to the NSW Liberal and Nationals’ energy plan released on Wednesday, saying more local generation and storage is welcome, but communities need more detail on how NSW will connect enough new renewable energy as coal exits the system.
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said:
“We’re glad to see the NSW Coalition continuing to back renewable energy and storage. Regional communities in NSW need an energy plan that keeps the lights on, keeps prices down and gives people confidence that the shift to clean energy is being done properly.
“However, the Coalition needs to provide more detail to assure communities that their plan can deliver new generation, storage and transmission on time, especially when they are proposing changes to Renewable Energy Zones that have been years in the planning.
“The New England REZ has been part of NSW’s bipartisan energy roadmap since it was created under the former Coalition government. Walking away from major parts of that plan now could increase uncertainty for regional communities and threaten the reliability of the NSW energy system.
“There is no doubt engagement around the New England REZ has not been good enough. Communities deserve clearer information, earlier consultation, proper benefit sharing and genuine efforts to reduce impacts. But the answer is to fix the rollout, not further delay the infrastructure NSW needs.
“Urban REZs could help unlock more local energy in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, and an Outback REZ may also have a role to play. But neither removes the need for major transmission, and neither appears to be a timely substitute for the new bulk energy supply NSW needs as coal exits.
“Pushing renewable energy generation further west does not make the need for transmission disappear. The Coalition will need to show this is a plan to deliver the energy NSW needs, not simply push hard decisions into the future.”
ENDS
For media inquiries and interview requests please contact Monica Tan on 0425 243 750 or monica@re-alliance.org.au.
