There’ll be plenty of debate over Australia’s energy future in this federal election. While much coverage will centre on the dangerous distraction of nuclear, here's a story of genuine hope about climate action in Australia:
Renewable energy like wind and solar has never been stronger.
Here are 4 reasons why:
- Renewables provided a record 46% of Australia’s electricity in the final three months of 2024. This is set to grow to 82% in the next 5 years, which we desperately need. Climate-wrecking coal is on the way out and the fantasy of a nuclear reactor wouldn’t be ready until 2040 at the earliest. ¹
- 4 million Australian homes have rooftop solar and counting – that's 37% of all homes. This is projected to increase to 5 million homes around the time of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. ²
- Renewables are Australia’s most affordable source of new energy. While coal and gas companies keep raising their prices and our energy bills, renewables continue to become more affordable. Over the last decade, solar costs have dropped by 90% and wind costs have dropped by more than 60%. The CSIRO has confirmed nuclear would cost twice as much as renewables. ³
- Rooftop solar and renewables backed with big batteries are making Australia’s energy more reliable. Meanwhile, Australia’s ageing coal plants keep breaking down causing more blackouts, especially during heat waves. ⁴ ⁵ On November 18 last year, all of South Australia's power came from rooftop solar – with some left over!
With so many reasons to love wind and solar, we all must tell candidates and parties across the political spectrum to stay the course on renewables – don't delay climate action.
Take 30 seconds today to pledge to vote for renewable energy in the upcoming federal election.
When you pledge, it’ll be sent directly to your local election candidates.
Every pledge we make today tells candidates across the country and political parties that Australians want renewables.
After all, renewables are here now, powering our lives and cutting out our use of climate-wrecking coal and gas. Renewables are climate action!
¹ Climate Council: Record breaking renewables end coal to an all-time low
² Solar Calculator: Solar panel install statistics in Australia
³ CSIRO: GenCost: cost of building Australia’s future electricity needs
⁴ The Conversation: Wondering what to make of warnings about our electricity system? The outlook is improving – but we’re not out of the woods
⁵ Sydney Morning Herald: Sydney risks blackouts as heat soars and coal power plants falter
