Energy policy needs to get on board the renewable energy tra

Analysis by the Australian National University shows Australia could have 100 per cent renewable electricity by the early 2030s if the current rate of installations by industry continues into 2020 and beyond. Experts from ANU analysed Australian Government renewable energy project data that showed during 2018 and 2019 Australia will install about 10,400 megawatts of new renewable energy. Energy Change Institute Director Professor Ken Baldwin said if the current rate of renewable energy installations continues, Australia will eclipse the Renewable Energy Target, with 29 per cent renewable electricity in 2020, and 50 per cent in 2025. "We estimate electricity emissions would thereby be reduced by 26 per cent in 2021, and the electricity sector on its own would meet Australia's entire Paris emissions reductions target of 26 per cent by 2025," said Professor Baldwin.    "Australian industry is proving it's not difficult or expensive to make deep and rapid cuts to greenhouse gas emissions." "All the evidence points to Australia's capacity to be a renewable energy superpower, with all the economic and environmental benefits that come with that. We need Australia's governments to put in place the right plans for the renewable energy train to have a smooth ride," said Professor Baldwin. Professor Andrew Blakers from ANU Research School of Engineering said the new capacity coming is divided approximately equally between large-scale solar photovoltaics (PV), wind farms, and rooftop solar PV.