24 May, 2017
Government must heed Chief Scientist’s timely advice
The NSW Chief Scientist is calling on the NSW Government to take a national leadership role on climate change and energy policy, but the Berejiklian government still has no plan to make the state’s energy system 100% renewable. [1]
“The Chief Scientist has spelled-out how climate change is already risking our energy security,” NCC CEO Kate Smolski said. “This is yet another reason to get on with the transitioning NSW to renewable energy.
“We applaud the Chief Scientists recommendation that NSW lead the national debate on climate change and energy policy, but the Berejiklian government is in no position to do that until it develops a plan to transition to 100% renewables.
“The Coalition in NSW has committed to making the state carbon neutral by 2050, but has not explain how it plans to get there. NSW still sources 79% of its electricity from coal-fired power stations, and climate pollution from NSW’s energy sector is increasing, which is making matters worse.
“To return to a safe climate, we have a timeline of 14 years in which to implement an orderly transition from coal and gas to clean energy. The government needs to urgently transition to a clean energy system that doesn’t add to climate change.
“We strongly support the taskforce’s recommendation to add to the reliability and security of the grid by investing in storage along with solar and wind generation. (p76)
“We look forward to the Government taking strong action on these recommendations when it initiates its Climate Change Fund Strategic Plan mid-year.”
The Chief Scientist and Engineer Mary O’Kane, who leads the NSW Energy Security Taskforce, has warned more frequent, longer, hotter heatwaves that are being caused by climate change pose a security risk to the National Electricity Market. The Taskforce’s report notes there will 10 more heatwave days each year by 2030. (p34)
The Nature Conservation Council’s is calling on the Berejiklian government to transition NSW to a modern, clean energy system by:
- Setting enforceable targets to source 50% of NSW’s electricity from renewables by 2025 and 100% by 2030;
- Developing a plan for a quick and orderly phase-out of coal-fired power stations that is fair to power-station workers;
- Creating incentives for the development of storage technologies, including batteries and pumped hydro.
REFERENCES
[1] Initial Report from the Energy Security Taskforce
http://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/105280/170505-Initial-Energy-Security-Taskforce-Report_FINAL-SIGNED.pdf
Tags
Climate and energy
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