Greens WA spokesperson on energy policy and climate change, Robin Chapple MLC, today pointed to the Esperance windfarm situation which highlighted the hypocrisy characterizing the Barnett/Grylls government stance on renewable energy.
“Under questioning by me in parliament, the energy minister has admitted that the Esperance windfarms (Ten Mile Lagoon and Nine Mile Beach) happily rotate away most of the time, while the clean, cheap, renewable energy they produce is simply wasted.
“The arrangement entered into by the government guarantees the fossil-fuel powered generator a large slice of the market – beyond which the windfarm can only pick up the remaining crumbs – they effectively have to pour the electricity down the drain!
“This is a classic case of greenhouse-gas intensive fossil-fuel power generation being granted a massive public subsidy – and shows in microcosm just what is wrong with this government’s approach to energy policy.
“How can renewables ever get past the stage of just being photo opportunities, to be trotted out when it suits the government to sound like it’s being environmentally responsible – when the playing field is so massively tilted in the direction of the status quo?
“The new state budget shows just how out of touch this government and its energy minister are – a trifling $2.1m allocation for sustainable energy against $287.3m for fossil-fuel works – less than 1% investment for renewables – it’s outrageous!
“Now is the time that we need strong government policy to set the framework for the transition to renewable power – so the sector can deliver it.
“It is critical in setting electricity policy that government focuses, not just on efficiency in the sector, but on the shift from carbon polluting electricity to renewable energy.
“West Aussies have demonstrated an overwhelming preference for solar and wind power, and the Greens have shown government the way with our detailed Energy 2029 plan for converting to renewables.
Energy 2029 plan: http://www.greenswa.net.au/energy2029
For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255
