Recently we heard that the government is rolling out a new plan for renewable energy in regional areas.
This Regional Australia's Renewables (RAR) initiative is being supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and will generate 150 MW of renewable energy such as solar power in some remote locations.
Small wind power and hybrid technologies will also be in the mix of renewable energy projects.
This is great news for solar energy and other clean technologies, and the Clean Energy Council (CEC) has congratulated the initiative. The CEC believes that projects funded through the RAR could dramatically cut diesel use in remote communities and mining companies.
"We’ve known for quite some time that renewable energy is a viable alternative to diesel-fuelled power generation, but up until now the industry hasn’t had the necessary backing to give it the jump-start it needs to get rolling," said CEC policy director Russell Marsh.
"The cost of technologies such as off-grid solar is actually below that of diesel in many countries. The problem is that the up-front investment for solar is higher, but after that the fuel is free. In comparison, companies will continue paying dearly to operate diesel generators for many years."
The RAR will provide $400 million in funding for these new projects which will move remote communities towards safer, cleaner, and in many cases cheaper forms of energy.
As well as this, large industrial users such as mining companies may be able to make significant savings on their operating costs through switching to off-grid renewable energy.
Once again, clean energy forms are making a positive impact on the community and showing their substantial benefits to households, businesses and the environment – what more could we want from our energy?
Posted by Mike Peacock