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Draft 2020 Integrated System Plan sets path for renewables as least regret and lowest cost

The Draft 2020 Integrated System Plan (ISP) released by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) today confirms that a renewables future is unequivocally the least regret and lowest cost option, the Clean Energy Council said.

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane Thornton said the draft ISP provides a dynamic and actionable roadmap that can guide the transition through a period of complexity and uncertainty.

“The ISP points to a highly diverse future energy system where over 30 GW of new utility-scale renewable generation is needed, and distributed energy generation is expected to double or even triple to provide 13 to 22 per cent of the total annual National Electricity Market consumption.”

“The ISP rightly identifies that to unlock this exciting new energy potential, significant investment in the transmission network is needed.”

“We strongly support AEMO’s development path for extensive upgrades to the transmission grid to deliver the infrastructure needed to make the most of our vast clean energy resources, ensure the future stability and security of Australia’s energy system and deliver low-cost energy to consumers.”

“As we have consistently said, a clear roadmap for transmission development is imperative in order to build investor confidence for new clean energy generation – which is urgently needed to ensure new generation is in place before our ageing coal power plants retire.”

“Releasing a draft ISP is also a positive development. We support AEMO taking this additional step and its consultative approach to developing the 2020 ISP. There is a huge amount of detail to be worked through in the draft ISP. We look forward to working closely with AEMO on this and providing further input to ensure the 2020 ISP delivers the robust strategy needed to guide the future of Australia’s energy system.”

The Draft 2020 Integrated System Plan is available on the AEMO website.

Please contact Clean Energy Council Digital & Marketing Manager Andreas Wenzel on 03 9929 4114 for more information or to arrange an interview.