The Clean Energy Council says that New South Wales Labor appears to have struck the right balance with today's energy policy announcement to ensure that the state remains a beneficiary for private investors.
The work to date by the NSW Government has resulted in the state becoming a leading light in Australia's clean energy transformation with the development of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, Transmission Acceleration Facility and renewable energy zones. This, in turn, has made NSW an attractive location for private investors in renewable energy," said Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton.
"We would expect that by targeting areas of reliability, affordability and medium- to long-term storage, the public-sector contributions by the NSW Energy Security Corporation will help lower power prices, create jobs, keep the lights on and reduce our emissions.
"The Clean Energy Council looks forward to working with whoever wins the next NSW election to ensure the state's clean energy transformation accelerates and the state leverages the enormous private sector appetite for clean energy.
"We are in a global clean energy arms race. The world has changed markedly in just six months, global competition for green finance, equipment and human capital is intensifying, and we will need to boldly assert ourselves to secure a share of this massive green growth opportunity.
"If we don't act quickly, Australia risks missing out on the early mover advantages.
"To that end, all investment – whether public or private – in Australia's renewable energy sector is a welcome contribution."
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Jane Aubrey
Clean Energy Council Public Affairs Manager
[email protected]
+61 409 470 683
