Just 6 per cent of New South Wales is using renewable electricity. By contrast, Tasmania is on 95 per cent (but with good reason) and fellow mainlander South Australia is sitting at 40 per cent.
And with just $1.4m set aside in the budget to foster the renewable energy sector, the New South Wales doesn’t seem to be keen to lift its ranking among the states from dead last to anything better.
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New modelling shows New South Wales would gain more than 11,000 jobs — more than any other state — and significant jobs growth per capita if the country transitions away from fossil fuel-based energy.
The budget comes just weeks after a Climate Council report ranked New South Wales as the worst performing state on renewables. While the state refuses to commit to a renewable energy target, Victoria just last week announced it would ensure 40 per cent of its power comes from renewables by 2025.
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The Wind Alliance’s national co-ordinator Andrew Bray says there are huge opportunities in New South Wales for wind power generation that are being overlooked. “As well as a jobs bonanza, the building of more wind farms will inject much-needed cash into the state’s regional and rural communities,” Mr Bray said.
“With a busted wind farm planning system and no clear plan to build renewables, New South Wales risks being left behind and missing out on the global renewables boom.”
Analysis shows that more than $2 million would be pumped into regional communities each year if the 11 wind farms already approved for New South Wales go ahead, which doesn’t include the payments made directly to those who neighbour wind farms or the farmers who host them.