Chief scientist Alan Finkel is widely expected to lay out various policy scenarios for Australia’s energy industry when he presents his report to COAG leaders on Friday, but perhaps the most profound impact of his report will be how it can shape the discussion of the future of the industry. Australia’s energy policy has been bogged down by the idea that “baseload” power – from spinning turbines powered by burned fossil fuels – is the only source of cheap, reliable and dependable power. This myth, propagated by industry incumbents, conservative ideologues and the just-don’t-knows, is one of several often rolled out in an attempt to demonise the impact of variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, and roll back ambitious emissions or renewable energy targets. Finkel is likely to try to reset the discussion. He needs to.
Renew Economy 8th June 2017 read more »