Solar Citizens is urging all solar supporters in Australia to join its campaign to save the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
In March this year, the Federal Government announced its intentions to set up the $1 Billion Clean Energy Innovation Fund (CEIF), money for which would come from ARENA’s coffers. Aside from the funding cut, one of the concerns is the CEIF could support so-called ‘low pollution’ projects such as gas.
Solar Citizens has previously stated the plan was reckless, foolish and short-sighted and is asking Australians to email the Federal Government about the situation via a platform the group has set up that makes the task quick and easy.
“ARENA has been absolutely crucial in supporting Australia as a global leader in renewable energy research over the past several years, including development of the most efficient solar PV and solar thermal technology in the world,” says Solar Citizens.
“Don’t let the ‘innovation’ government cut $1 billion from the agency that has helped Australia lead in renewable energy research and development – email the Federal Government now and tell them to save ARENA.”
In a recent interview on ABC’s AM, former chair of ARENA Greg Bourne warned slashing funding to the agency will see innovation move offshore and $7 billion of projects in the pipeline threatened.
“I think what will happen is we’ll basically see all of the research projects stop. We’ve funded something like 50 per cent, 50 research projects, 50 demonstration studies. Those things will just stop dead,” he said.
ARENA’s funding of projects isn’t money for nothing. It has leveraged approximately 1.5 dollars of funding from other sources for every dollar of grants.
In the emerging and what will be very lucrative energy storage sector, ARENA has supported dozens of projects all over the country.
Recent research from the Australian Conservation Foundation indicates 2,700 jobs could be created in Queensland alone if 10 large-scale solar projects receive funding – far more employment than what will be gained from the controversial Adani Carmichael coal mine.
“Big solar could mean a jobs boom for the sunshine state, but the federal government’s proposed cuts to ARENA’s funding mean good projects might never be built,” said ACF CEO Kelly O’Shanassy.
