November 27, 2024
The latest reporting from the Federal Government that Australia is on track to meet its renewable energy target of 82 per cent by 2030 is welcome news, but there remain significant hurdles on that journey, particularly in the regions.
NSW blackouts due to failing coal-fired generators and ongoing gas supply shortfalls are just two examples demonstrating that energy users throughout the country must be switched over to cheaper, more reliable renewable energy as soon as possible.
As hosts to much of the energy generation and distribution infrastructure, regional Australians deserve a concerted focus on what their needs are and how they can be met, and that’s why the Smart Energy Council strongly backs the growing call across Australia for the federal government to invest in Local Energy Hubs.
Key points:
- Local Energy Hubs can play a role in bringing industry and community stakeholders together to solve local challenges as we shift to renewables.
- Local Energy Hubs are a proposed network of 50 independent community outreach centres in regional and rural communities. They would be staffed by locals to assist communities navigating renewable energy and transmission projects, while helping households, businesses and farms to lower their energy bills and electrify.
- We agree that community participation in Australia’s shift to renewable energy – particularly in regional areas – is crucial to ensure we deliver on 82% renewables by 2030.
- Regional communities are increasingly expressing that they do not have access to trusted, timely and locally relevant information on the energy shift in their regions. Without this information, the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure is becoming increasingly delayed.
- At its core, the Local Energy Hubs concept is focussed on filling that gap.
- Local Energy Hubs have been developed by a coalition of not for profit organisations – RE-Alliance, Community Power Agency and Yes 2 Renewables – with deep, on the ground experience and strong local community networks.
- This solution delivers directly on many of the themes and recommendations made in this year’s report by the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner into community engagement practices.
- For more information, head to localenergyhubs.org.au.
The Smart Energy Council urges the Federal Government to back in and fund Local Energy Hubs as soon as possible.
Media contact: tim@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192
