QLD GOVERNMENT SHOULD REJECT ATTACKS ON SOLAR AND SUPPORT A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION REPORT
QLD GOVERNMENT SHOULD REJECT ATTACKS ON SOLAR AND SUPPORT A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION REPORT
Solar Citizens urges the Palaszczuk Government to reject a return to Newman-era attacks on solar and reaffirm its commitment to solar power in Queensland, following the release today of a draft report by the state’s Productivity Commission.
Reece Turner, Consumer Campaigner with Solar Citizens, said the report completely fails to understand the opportunities of the solar revolution happening worldwide and across Australia. Its outdated recommendations call on the Government to tear up election promises to support the growth of solar and the cost savings it can bring on household electricity bills.
“The Productivity Commission report may well have found resonance in the 1950s but it is embarrassingly inadequate and out of touch for meeting power needs in the modern, 21st century,” he said.
“Queenslanders are on the frontline of installing rooftop solar with more than 440,000 homes powered by the sun -- the Government shouldn’t be holding them back.
“Whilst the report acknowledges that Queensland electricity prices have nearly doubled in the past decade as a result of network over-spends and “gold-plating” of our poles and wires infrastructure, the Commission has disparaged the solar and renewables industry which is allowing customers a means to shield themselves from electricity hikes.
“Solar Citizens welcomes the Government’s commitment to ensure the legacy Solar Bonus Scheme is not abandoned but Minister for Energy, Mark Bailey, must go further to provide security for solar owners and the large-scale solar industry.
Solar Citizens urges the Government to clearly reaffirm its solar and renewable energy policies including the objective of 1 million solar roofs and 50% renewables by 2030 and asks the Government to consider re-writing the Productivity Commission's terms of reference to ensure it makes a valuable contribution to a renewable energy transition.
Media contact: Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004
Notes
*‘Solar power station in Collinsville could be under construction this year’ ABC Rural news 2 February 2016 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-02/ratch-australia-collinsville-solar-project-could-begin-this-year/7132424
QLD Productivity Commission Report available at: http://www.qpc.qld.gov.au/files/uploads/2016/02/EPI-DRAFT-REPORT-Final.pdf
