Government’s ARENA funding announcement good start but falls short
8th March 2020: Government’s ARENA funding announcement good start but falls short
Solar Citizens welcomes this morning’s announcement that the Australian Government will provide $480 000 towards ARENA to fund clean energy entrepreneurs, but says this falls well short of the funding needed to maintain ARENA beyond September this year.
ARENA will run out of funding for new projects within the year, after the Government cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the agency’s budget in 2016.
‘ARENA has delivered some of the world’s most efficient and widely-used clean energy innovations, but there’s still more to be done to ensure Australia doesn’t fall behind,’ said Ellen Roberts, Solar Citizens’ National Director.
‘The Federal Government still has no real plan to fund ARENA beyond 2020 and we risk losing the expertise and innovation that has led to cheaper and more accessible solar for households and communities.’
‘This is a good start but without meaningful long-term investment in ARENA, Australia will lose its place at the forefront of renewable innovation.’
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Media contact: Ellen Roberts 0408 583 694
About Solar Citizens: Solar Citizens is an independent, community-based organisation working to protect and grow renewable energy in Australia. We represent the millions of Australians that have rooftop solar, and all Australians that support the transition to clean renewable energy.
