The Australian industry for clean energy has just survived a close death experience. Where from here? | Kane Thornton

A The shift towards nuclear energy and a significant expansion of the gas flow would have brought renewable energies on stage at the worst time, which derailed the transition of Australia to a clean, modern energy system. This choice was not just a political moment, but a turning point.

This result could offer an urgently needed shot in the arm for the sector for clean energy, but this is not time for self -congregation or complacency. Australia's energy conversion takes place in land cities and centers across the country with wind farms, solar projects, battery installations and the transmission lines that you combine in regional and rural municipalities. These communities have legitimate concerns. While the advantages of jobs, investments, improved roads and bridges will come, they also carry the main load of change. It is our responsibility as an industry to do it better.

It starts with honesty. We have to recognize that companies for renewable energies have not always included regional communities, as they should. While these companies contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to local performance systems, pay landowners and neighbors and work with the councilors, we have to go on. Token advice is not enough. We need real, sustainable, mutual relationships based on respect, transparency and trust. The vast majority of companies for renewable energies are already doing the highest standards, but there are only a few who do not treat regional communities as they should.

Responsibility for the sector is the creation of local jobs, prioritization of local companies and the research of property models that offer the municipalities a meaningful share of projects. It means to get involved early and respectfully with the folks of the First Nations and to be transparent about the effects of renewable developments and at the same time the people who organize them to ensure the advantages.

This approach is not just about fairness, but for our success. Without social license in the regions, the energy transfer or fracture slows down. This allows us to create a system that is not only cleaner and more reliable, but also more fair.

The federal government has set an ambitious 82% renewable energies by 2030. Reaching this goal will be a challenge, but it is available. And now the investment community can continue with a clear political mandate with a new trust. An important instrument available to the government is the capacity investment program with which risk projects are picked up and the certainty is provided to create investors who have to support the production and storage of renewable food. It is the bridge that we have to move smoothly when aging coal -fired power plants leave the system.

In order to ensure a stable and reliable network, energy storage must become a top infrastructure priority. Batteries are the unsung heroes that grasp excess solar and wind energy when the production is high and releases it when the demand reaches its peak. Australia is already a leader in the use of batteries with a battery. Flagship projects such as the Waratah Super Battery in Hunter Valley and the Hornsdale-Power Reserve of Tesla in South Australia prove that batteries can maintain the stability of the networks and prevent blackouts. But we need a lot more of you and quickly and longer duration storage technologies and pump hydro.

We also have to learn from the experiences of other countries. In Spain and Portugal, the sub -investment in storage and poor planning have led to the instability of the networks and the economic consequences. Australia cannot afford to make the same mistakes. Every additional megawatts memory brings us closer to an energy system with zero emissions that is not only clean, but also reliable.

Australians spoke with clarity. We want to be supported by storage and pumpphydro and supported by gas and supported if necessary. The nuclear power is too slow, too expensive, too split and this debate was populated in the ballot. However, reaching our Clean Energy targets will take more than politics and investment. It requires humility by the sector, cooperation at all government levels and a real commitment to the partnership with regional Australia.

The mandate is clear. Now we have to rise to meet it.