AusNet Services (AusNet) welcomes the Federal Government’s formal commitment to raise Australia’s emission reduction target to a more ambitious 43 per cent by 2030.
AusNet Chief Executive Officer, Tony Narvaez, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen had provided industry with the necessary certainty to make the critical investments required to accelerate the shift to our cleaner energy future.
“This announcement highlights the importance of getting on with the job of transitioning to renewable energy in a way that creates jobs, keeps prices down and delivers reliable, affordable energy,” Mr Narvaez said.
“The current power crisis shows that Australia must commit to long-term plans to ensure we build a system which will secure the future energy needs of every home and business and keep the lights on.
“AusNet supports the Federal Government's target for reducing emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 and to net zero emissions by 2050, but there will be no transition without an adequate transmission network, which the Federal Government has acknowledged in its comprehensive Rewiring the Nation plan.
“New transmission lines take a lot of time to plan, and solar and wind farms take time to construct, so as a nation we need to get on with building the critical infrastructure we know we need to fight climate change,” he said.
AusNet is currently involved in several key transmission projects which will help the Federal Government achieve its emissions reductions targets. These projects could bring between 3.9 and 4.9GW of new, clean electricity to the grid.
“Victoria’s Western Renewables Link will help connect more renewable wind and solar-generated electricity to the grid from the west of the state to benefit all Victorians.
“Western Victoria has one of the best natural wind and solar resources nationally and this new transmission link will unlock the renewables needed to create and grow new industries, as well as put downward pressure on power prices,” Mr Narvaez said.
AusNet is also exploring the opportunities within the Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone to bring cleaner energy from the region to the electricity grid.
But delivering this infrastructure won’t be easy said Mr Narvaez. “All parties need to work together, work even closer with regional communities, and engage in a constructive way to develop these and other projects for the benefit of all Australians,” he said.
