New data from the Clean Energy Council has revealed that the number of committed large-scale renewable energy projects nationally is at its lowest level since 2017, and just three projects reached final close in the second quarter of 2020. Investments in the electricity transmission network have not kept pace with the rapid deployment of wind and solar farms.
“AEMO’s 2020 Integrated System Plan (ISP) has delivered a clear roadmap for development of the energy system. To deliver this, we need to address the current grid connection challenges in order to build investor confidence for new clean energy generation”, says Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton.
“Australia has enormous opportunity to leverage renewable energy as part of a nation-building COVID-19 economic response, creating jobs and the infrastructure to support Australia’s future”.
Analysis by the Clean Energy Council found that the biggest barriers to renewable energy projects were transmission infrastructure constraints and government policy, with Covid not rating in the top five.
You can find out more about the study here
Image: Instagram, Granville Harbour
