7 March 2023: CopperString 2.0 Announcement Major Win for North Queensland

Community campaigning organisation Solar Citizens today celebrates the Queensland Government’s announcement that they will build the CopperString 2.0 transmission line and unlock a staggering 6,000MW of renewable energy resources. 

“We’ve been campaigning for grid upgrades in north west Queensland for years now because the region has some of the country’s best co-located solar and wind resources that can be turned into abundant, cheap electricity for Queenslanders,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens. 

“The CopperString 2.0 transmission line will unlock North Queensland’s world-class renewable resources and provide cheap electricity to emerging manufacturing industries in Townsville and existing heavy industry in Mount Isa.

“Right now industries in Mount Isa are struggling because they have to rely on expensive gas-fired power. An injection of cheap and clean energy is just what the doctor ordered to ensure Queensland’s industry can remain globally competitive.

“Today’s announcement is a big win for the North Queensland community as well as industry. Unlocking 6,000 MW of new renewable capacity is the equivalent of doubling the existing large-scale solar and wind farms in Queensland.

“This flood of new renewable energy potential is just what the region needs to underpin proposed local renewable hydrogen, mineral processing and manufacturing projects.

“It’s also great to see the Queensland Government demonstrating their commitment to keeping energy assets in public hands. In other states we’re seeing privatised network companies making a mint from consumers.”

[ENDS]

Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425543006

24 February 2023: ‘Sun Tax’ to Hit Solar Customers in NSW and ACT

Distribution network companies in New South Wales and the ACT are moving forward with plans to charge solar owners for feeding electricity into the grid during the middle of the day.

Proposals by Ausgrid, Essential Energy, Endeavour Energy and Evoenergy recently released by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) show the companies plan to introduce charges ranging from 0.94 c/KWh to 3.6c/KWh for solar homes that export above limits set by each network.

Consumer group Solar Citizens opposes the charges, stating the ‘sun tax’ would likely increase electricity bills for homes and businesses with solar systems larger than 3 kW. They estimate the initial charges could amount to bill increases of more than $30 dollars per year for a household with a 5kW solar system.

“Before enforcing any extra charges, the network companies are meant to prove to the Australian Energy Regulator that charging solar owners is necessary to address grid congestion. But in the applications just released, their arguments have more holes than swiss cheese,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens.

“Ausgrid’s own data shows that the vast majority of their network can accommodate more rooftop solar, but they want to start slugging people now because by the end of the decade there might be grid issues that arise. That’s not good enough.

“An extra $30 per year might not sound like much, but that’s just the starting point. These charges are likely to go up over time and for many families and businesses struggling with the rising cost of living it’s the last thing they need.”

In 2021, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) changed the electricity laws so that network companies could charge solar customers for feeding electricity to the grid. Under the new rules solar owners can face charges if they export more than the limit set by their network. In the new proposals the distribution network providers are also offering a reward if people can export in the late afternoon.

“The network companies pushed for the ability to charge solar owners in the name of fairness for customers without solar, but Ausgrid’s own documents show that non-solar customers will only be about $1 better off per year after these charges come into effect,” said Ms Gray.

“The other justification for these charges is to encourage solar owners to use more electricity during the day and export solar in the evening. But how many working families will be able to shift their main electricity use to the middle of the day and afford a battery so they can export at night? 

“The State Government had an opportunity to stop these charges from being implemented and they sat on their hands. Now it falls to the Australian Energy Regulator to clamp down on these unfair charges before they see the light of day.

“The NSW Government may have been slow to act, but there’s still time for them to act in the face of a worsening cost of living crisis. We’re calling on them and the Labor Opposition to support the rollout of battery storage to alleviate any grid issues and help solar households protect themselves from getting slugged.”

Summary of charges by NSW Distributed Network Service Providers

Distributed Network Service Providers are trying to introduce a solar export charge alongside price signals encouraging solar customers to export power in the evening. 

Their justification for this is firstly to encourage battery update to alleviate grid stress that’s emerging in some areas during the middle of the day. However, as can be seen below the ‘rewards’ for exporting at night are too small to encourage battery uptake as it would still be more economical for battery owners to use their own stored power and save on electricity tariffs. 

Secondly, these charges are being implemented in the name of fairness for non-solar customers, but as mentioned above the financial benefits to non-solar customers are insignificant. 

Solar Citizens has welcomed election commitments from the NSW Government and Opposition that support accelerated rollout of grid infrastructure, renewable energy and storage which create space for more ambitious announcements to come. 

“The announcements, from both major parties, are acknowledgement of the need for investment enabling more affordable renewable energy, but much more needs to be done to ensure the benefits reach those who need it most.” said Joel Pringle, National Consumer Advocate Campaigner at Solar Citizens.

20 February 2023: 2,600 NQ Jobs Stalled by Grid Needs

Three major renewable energy projects touted for North West Queensland cannot proceed until major grid upgrades take place, stalling 2,600 clean energy jobs and 2,800 MW of new wind generation. 

According to campaigning organisation Solar Citizens, the three major wind projects, Mount James, Prairie and Wongalee wind farms, will require the Townsville to Hughenden transmission upgrade to proceed – a grid project not slated until 2035 in Queensland's Energy and Jobs Plan.

“There’s a lot of excitement, and rightly so, about North West Queensland’s clean energy potential. The region around Hughenden has some of the country’s best co-located solar and wind resources, but currently the State Government’s timeline for unlocking this potential is still more than a decade away,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens. 

“What’s unique about the region is that it gets more than 300 days a year of sunshine and a wind resource that tends to blow at night, providing around the clock affordable energy.”

The proposed Renewable Energy Zone in North West Queensland, called the ‘North Queensland Clean Energy Hub’ by the Australian Energy Market Operator, is planned to be one of the last to be developed in the State. This is despite the zone having a staggering 26,600 MW of potential – more than the entire electricity generation currently operating in Queensland.

“North Queensland could be a key powerhouse for the whole state. That’s why it’s so disappointing that the vital grid investment needed to unlock the North's potential, including massive employment and economic potential, is the last grid project planned in Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan,” said Ms Gray. 

“The State Government’s recent announcement of a $75 million critical mineral processing facility follows several private proposals to produce renewable hydrogen and battery materials locally. But if the region is going to become a hub for renewable hydrogen and clean manufacturing then we need to be connected to abundant cheap and clean energy.

“We’d like to see the Queensland Government be visionary about turning North Queensland into a hub for clean industry and manufacturing. The full potential of the north won’t be unlocked until they bring forward the build of this key grid infrastructure.

“It’s also imperative that existing industry and mining in Mount Isa can access affordable renewable energy to stay globally competitive. Right now they are relying on gas generation and facing crippling electricity prices. That’s why transmission projects, like CopperString, will be vital to underpin long-term economic prosperity right across the North.” 

A recent report by Solar Citizens and the Queensland Conservation Council found that large-scale solar, wind and storage projects across the Sunshine State brought wholesale power costs down by $25/MWh in 2022, equivalent to nearly $100 per household. The groups say that further renewable energy investment would have brought costs down by more than $500 per household.

[ENDS]

Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425 543 006

10th February 2023: Ballarat backs Fuel Efficiency Standards and EVs

A clear majority of Ballarat residents say the government should assist electric vehicle (EV) uptake through better Fuel Efficiency Standards, as 81 per cent of local residents said they were concerned about rising petrol prices. Some 45 per cent of Ballarat locals would consider an EV for their next car - a number which jumped to 60 per cent if more affordable EVs arrive in Australia.

The poll of a representative sample of more than 800 Ballarat residents was conducted by UComms and comes as petrol prices heavily impact the cost of living, after almost two consecutive years of fuel price rises. Eighty-one per cent of people polled said they were concerned about rising petrol prices, especially men (85%). 

“Regional Australians are really feeling the pain at the petrol pump – we have to fork out more cash when we fill up, because we have to drive longer distances, and petrol and diesel are more expensive than in the city,” said Ben Lever, Ballarat local and Regional Clean Transport Organiser at Solar Citizens.

Of the people polled, 45 per cent would consider buying an electric vehicle as their next car, but this number rose to 60 per cent if there were affordable models on the market. By far the biggest barrier for Ballarat locals when considering electric cars was purchase price (42.3%), especially for young people aged 18-34 (48.7%).

“One of the big barriers stopping more Australians from investing in an EV is the huge price tag – you still can’t buy a new EV in Australia for less than $40,000, and the second-hand ones are snatched up quickly. We simply need more affordable models, and stronger Fuel Efficiency Standards will mean more affordable EVs come to Australia,” said Lever.

63 per cent of the people polled agreed that the Federal Government should be doing more to tackle low EV uptake, and 63 per cent agreed that we need to implement Fuel Efficiency Standards that at least match the ambition of our major trading partners.

“The data is telling us that the Federal Government has the mandate to catch up to the rest of the world with a practical Fuel Efficiency Standard to drive down petrol bills, and give Australians real choices when they’re buying. This would include affordable cars and utes that are already available overseas,” said Lever.

“Our trading partners have access to these vehicles because they have strong Fuel Efficiency Standards – Australia’s weak Standards mean we miss out. And because we spend so much on fuel, it’s regional Australians that would benefit the most from fixing this gap.”

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Full polling results:

• 81.7% of those polled are somewhat concerned or very concerned about rising petrol prices.
• 45.4% of Ballarat locals would consider buying an electric vehicle as their next car, and only 1.7% already own an electric vehicle.
• 59.6% of Ballarat locals would consider an electric vehicle if there were affordable models on the market.
• The biggest barrier for Ballarat locals when considering electric cars was overwhelmingly purchase price (42.3%), in particular for young people aged 18-34 (48.7%)
• A majority (63.3%) of Ballarat locals think it’s important for the Federal Government should introduce policies, infrastructure and industry that assist people to buy and drive electric vehicles in this term of government.
• 63.2% of Ballarat locals agree that any Fuel Efficiency Standard implemented by the Federal Government should be at least in line with our major trading partners, if not stronger. 

Media Contact: Ben Lever, Regional Clean Transport Organiser, [email protected]

 7 February 2023: Queensland’s solar and wind slashed $100 off power bills

Fast-tracking Queensland’s rollout of renewable energy and making clean technology available to more Queenslanders would create 27,200 new jobs and bring down electricity bills for consumers, according to a new report by Solar Citizens and the Queensland Conservation Council. 

The report titled, Five Ways to Improve Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan, found that large-scale solar, wind and storage projects across the Sunshine State brought wholesale power costs down by $25/MWh in 2022, equivalent to nearly $100 per household. The groups say that further renewable energy investment would have brought down costs by more than $500 per household.

“High global fossil fuel prices and breakdowns at ageing coal plants have sent our electricity bills spiralling out of control, especially in coal reliant states like Queensland,” said Clare Silcock, Energy Strategist at the Queensland Conservation Council. 

“Our analysis shows that our large-scale renewable energy projects are already reducing power bills for Queenslanders, but to maximise the benefits we should be bringing online more clean energy projects as soon as possible.”

The groups are calling on the Queensland Government to build another 2,500 MW of new large-scale renewable energy and storage projects by 2025 on top of the nearly 4,000 MW already in the pipeline. They’re also calling for government investment in household clean technology, such as rooftop solar, energy efficiency upgrades and household battery storage, in an effort to help vulnerable Queenslanders manage their energy bills. 

“The best way to protect yourself from inflated global coal and gas prices is to produce your own solar electricity straight from your rooftop,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director at Solar Citizens. 

“Queenslanders are world leaders in the uptake of rooftop solar. It’s now time for the State Government to support Queensland’s 900,000 solar homes and businesses to take the next step towards energy independence by helping them invest in battery storage and more efficient electric appliances. 

“It’s also imperative that the third of Queenslanders who rent or live in social housing are supported to access cheap solar energy. Recent polling of 2,000 Australians found that 71 per cent of people agree governments should do more to help this significant proportion of our community access affordable solar.

"Especially on hot summer days like we've been having, we need to make sure that everyone can afford to keep their homes at a healthy temperature and that means access to affordable energy."

3rd February, 2023: Fuel Efficiency Standard crucial to saving regional fuel costs 

Solar Citizens has today welcomed the publication of submissions to the government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy, which Solar Citizens gathered over 600 detailed responses from its community to the submission process. Ben Lever, Solar Citizens’ Regional Clean Transport Organiser said this showed widespread community support for a strong Fuel Efficiency Standard, which is necessary to avoid a regional fuel crisis. 

“A strong Fuel Efficiency Standard is crucial to cutting skyrocketing transport costs for regional drivers. We know that spiking petrol prices have hit regional communities hard, at a time when the cost of living has risen across the board,” said Lever. 

“Regional communities are hit even harder than cities – we depend more on our cars, we drive longer distances, and we pay more at the pump than city drivers. If the government doesn’t introduce a strong Fuel Efficiency Standard and catch up to our international peers, we’ll continue to pay the price at the fuel pump for years to come. 

“Australia’s lack of Fuel Efficiency Standards means we’ve been left with fuel-guzzling models that can’t be sold overseas, and denied zero-emissions vehicles that are becoming the norm overseas. 

“A strong Fuel Efficiency Standard would mean more efficient petrol and diesel vehicles in the short term, while turbocharging the rollout of electric vehicles by increasing the availability of a variety of models, including affordable cars and those popular in the regions—like utes—that are already available overseas. 

“Australia’s weak policies mean we’re a low priority for car makers, so we don’t get the range of models that are offered overseas – and for the models we do get, our allocations sell out within hours.

“It’s about time we caught up with our international peers and implemented a Fuel Efficiency Standard that’s ambitious, has integrity, and ensures all Aussies get a fair go. And we’ve really got to get cracking if we want to see some of the same pragmatic cost savings they’re already seeing in countries like New Zealand.” 

[ENDS]

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Ben Lever, Regional Clean Transport Organiser, [email protected] 

Quick facts: 

• Fuel Efficiency Standards require car makers to sell cars and utes that meet a limit for CO2 emissions (calculated as an average across all the cars they sell) 
• In 2019, the average Australian car emitted 169.3g/km 
• The European Union’s Fuel Efficiency Standards started in 2009, and are now at 95g/km
• Australia needs to match the EU standards or we’ll be at the back of the queue for EVs 
• Experts agree that robust standards that tighten to 0g/km by 2035 at the latest are crucial for meeting Net Zero targets 
• Solar Citizens recommends a Standard that commences no later than 1st Jan 2024, and starts at 95g CO2/km

25 January 2022: Townsville Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Clean Manufacturing Hub

Solar Citizens today commends the Queensland Government for moving forward with plans to establish a $75 million critical minerals demonstration facility in Townsville. A number of critical minerals needed for clean technology, such as vanadium, cobalt and rare earth elements, will be processed onsite when the project is completed in 2025.

“North Queensland is perfectly placed to prosper as the world decarbonises because the region has some of the country’s best co-located solar and wind resources, great port facilities and deposits of key minerals needed to make renewable technology. We can harness all of these advantages to power up new clean manufacturing industries locally,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens. 

“Today’s announcement, and the State Government’s ongoing support of the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct, show us that they are committed to investing in Townsville’s clean manufacturing potential. That being said, there’s still a lot more that can be done to unlock abundant cheap energy for the region that can underpin new industries. 

“The grid desperately needs to be upgraded between Townsville and Hughenden to unlock the region’s abundant solar and wind resources. Unfortunately, this upgrade isn’t slated until 2035 in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“What’s more, the future of the CopperString transmission project, which will connect Mt Isa to Townsville and provide cheap renewable energy to power critical mineral mining and industry in the North West, is still sitting with the State Government.

“Our research found that turning Townsville into a hub for renewable-powered manufacturing and renewable hydrogen production would create more than 5,350 ongoing jobs and 19,600 construction job years by 2030. 

“But despite progress, we’re not going to see this exciting potential turn into reality unless we aim high, do the necessary planning, and build the right infrastructure to turn Townsville into a renewable industry and hydrogen powerhouse.”

[ENDS]

Media contact:
Stephanie Gray 0425 543 006

11 January 2023: Queensland Set to Become Australia's Biggest Electricity Polluter

A third of Australia’s electricity emissions are expected to come from Queensland by 2030, according to the Australian Government’s recently released emissions projections report.

Despite the Queensland Government announcing a new 70% by 2032 renewable energy target last year, the Sunshine State is expected to have Australia’s most polluting energy system by the end of the decade.

The Australian Government report found that Queensland is on track to be 58 per cent renewable by 2030, while Tasmania and South Australia will be close to 100 per cent, and New South Wales, including the ACT, will edge towards 90 per cent. 

“The latest projections by the Australian Government paint a clear picture that Queensland is not moving fast enough to roll out renewable energy and shift from a climate action laggard to leader,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens.

“Looking at the data we see that Queensland is expected to produce three times more carbon pollution from our electricity sector than New South Wales by 2030 – even though their population is much greater. 

“Right now high global coal and gas prices are driving up our power bills and causing cost of living pain for Queenslanders. We have some of the country’s best solar and wind resources so we should be capitalising on this advantage and building more clean energy plants that can free us from globally tight fossil fuel markets. 

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan announced in September was a big step in the right direction, but to protect our hip pockets, environment and way of life there’s every reason to move faster.” 

The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan committed to:

• Repower state-owned coal plants to renewable energy hubs by 2035;

• Legislate a 70% Renewable Energy Target by 2032, and a 80% target by 2035; 

• Spend an extra $2.5 billion on building publicly-owned renewables, taking the State’s total Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs fund to $4.5 billion.
  

Due to the timing of Australia’s emissions projections 2022 report, the Victorian Government’s commitment to set a new 95% by 2035 renewable energy target was not taken into account in the calculations. If it were, the figures would likely point to Queensland producing an even greater share of the country’s electricity emissions by 2030. 

[ENDS]

Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425 543 006
Full emissions projections 2022 report available here.

15 December 2022 New poll: Governments should help renters access affordable solar

A significant 71 per cent of Australians agree the federal and state governments should do more to help renters and social housing tenants access affordable solar electricity, according to a new national poll. 

The new data from a national poll of more than 2,000 people comes as the Federal Government is today voting on legislation to introduce temporary price caps on coal and gas to manage rising power bills. The poll was commissioned by Solar Citizens and conducted by uComms. 

Seventy three per cent of people polled said they were concerned about affording their next electricity bill. New South Wales residents were the most likely to be concerned about affording their next electricity bill with 78 per cent saying they were concerned.

“Australia has more than three million rooftop solar installations because investing in solar is one of the best ways to protect yourself from spiralling electricity prices,” said Heidi Lee Douglas, National Director of Solar Citizens.

“Our electricity and gas prices are going through the roof because of the high global price of fossil fuels, but the good news is that in Australia we have great renewable energy resources so we can produce our own energy that doesn’t depend on overseas markets.

“The energy transition is an exciting opportunity to put the power back in the hands of the people, but we need to make sure that no one is left behind. 

“Making sure cheap solar energy is accessible to everyone is especially important as temperatures rise during summer. Communities are already feeling the effects of climate change with more extreme heat and we need to make sure people can afford to use electricity to stay cool.”

In response to the cost of living pressures that are facing many New South Wales residents, more than 200 representatives from a wide range of communities and organisations recently gathered at an assembly in Parramatta with NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean and asked him to tackle the soaring cost of energy. The assembly was organised by the Sydney Alliance, a diverse coalition of 48 community, union, faith, charity, and not-for-profit organisations.

One of the assembly’s attendees was Sheik Adid Alrubai, who had to cut trips to see family in order to pay his energy bills. 

“Every end-of-year holidays I normally go with my wife and son to visit family in Melbourne but this year we won’t go. Visiting family overseas is now some kind of dream,” he said. 

 “When I lived with my other son and there was solar on the roof, I could afford normal activities like normal families. But when I left for a rental with no solar, we had to sacrifice many important things such as reducing the amount of protein – meat and fish – we eat, from four days to two days a week.

Sh Adid Alrubai said the Federal Government’s move to place price caps on coal and gas was the first step on the right path. But he said the long-term solution to rising power bills was to give people on lower incomes and renters access to renewable energy. 

Solar Citizens is calling for government support for solar on private rentals as well as social housing. Together with the Sydney Alliance, they’re also calling on the NSW Government to:

• Support households transition from gas to more efficient electric appliances.
• Invest in an energy hub to help communities access government schemes and get the best energy deals.
• Reconfirm their commitment to minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals.  

[ENDS]

Media contacts:
Solar Citizens -- Heidi Lee Douglas 0401092570, [email protected]
Sydney Alliance -- Saimi Jeong 0431649020, [email protected]

Key poll findings:

Solar Citizens commissioned uComms to conduct a survey of 2084 residents across Australia during the evening of 29 November 2022 using self-completed automated voice polling methodologies. The results showed:

• 41% have solar.

• 73% of people are concerned or very concerned about affording their next electricity bill.

• 71% agree that state and federal governments should do more to help renters and people living in social housing access solar energy to help them manage their electricity costs.

• 48% would consider installing household solar or battery storage if they could access a government-provided no-interest loan.

• 31% would consider replacing gas appliances with electric if they could access a government-provided no-interest loan.

• 78% agree the federal government should expand the national rooftop solar subsidy to make it more affordable for Australians to also install household battery storage.