We need to become a renewable export superpower

We were poised to become a leading manufacturer and exporter of this game-changing technology. Instead, Australia today manufactures less than one per cent of the world’s solar panels. This was a spectacular mistake we cannot afford to repeat.Transitioning the world to clean energy represents trillions of dollars of investments in new technologies, infrastructure, commodities and fuel supplies. Analysis by the International Energy Agency estimates the global investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment will reach US$28 trillion by 2035.Australia is perfectly positioned to benefit from this transition through jobs and economic opportunities. With our vast landmass, highly skilled workforce and rich deposits of lithium and other minerals needed for batteries and other clean energy technologies, we have all the resources not for our own domestic energy supply, but to become a leading energy export superpower. With the right government support and policy frameworks, Australia could generate $89 billion in new trade and create 395,000 new jobs by 2040. And it is regional communities that will see the greatest jobs growth.Several major projects are underway to build facilities that will harness our wind and sunshine to create clean hydrogen. And if we are proactive we could capture a large piece of the growing global demand for renewable iron and green aluminium.We could build onshore refineries powered by renewables to create jobs and substantially increase the value we derive from Australia’s rich deposits of lithium, copper and nickel. If we are to seize this opportunity, however, we must act fast because the window is closing. Collaboration is needed between federal and state governments and the private sector. Innovators and investors need a supportive policy environment, access to capital and assistance in setting up new clean energy ventures.Unlike other countries, Australia’s energy transition needn’t be characterised by sacrifice and trade-offs. We have everything we need to step up in the world and become a renewable export superpower. Nicky Ison is Energy Transition Manager at WWF-Australia

from Daily Telegraph https://ift.tt/3b3XDaj

October 23, 2021 at 11:30PM
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We were poised to become a leading manufacturer and exporter of this game-changing technology. Instead, Australia today manufactures less than one per cent of the world’s solar panels. This was a spectacular mistake we cannot afford to repeat.Transitioning the world to clean energy represents trillions of dollars of investments in new technologies, infrastructure, commodities and fuel supplies. Analysis by the International Energy Agency estimates the global investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment will reach US$28 trillion by 2035.Australia is perfectly positioned to benefit from this transition through jobs and economic opportunities. With our vast landmass, highly skilled workforce and rich deposits of lithium and other minerals needed for batteries and other clean energy technologies, we have all the resources not for our own domestic energy supply, but to become a leading energy export superpower. With the right government support and policy frameworks, Australia could generate $89 billion in new trade and create 395,000 new jobs by 2040. And it is regional communities that will see the greatest jobs growth.Several major projects are underway to build facilities that will harness our wind and sunshine to create clean hydrogen. And if we are proactive we could capture a large piece of the growing global demand for renewable iron and green aluminium.We could build onshore refineries powered by renewables to create jobs and substantially increase the value we derive from Australia’s rich deposits of lithium, copper and nickel. If we are to seize this opportunity, however, we must act fast because the window is closing. Collaboration is needed between federal and state governments and the private sector. Innovators and investors need a supportive policy environment, access to capital and assistance in setting up new clean energy ventures.Unlike other countries, Australia’s energy transition needn’t be characterised by sacrifice and trade-offs. We have everything we need to step up in the world and become a renewable export superpower. Nicky Ison is Energy Transition Manager at WWF-Australia