Renewable Energy Index shows sector will generate power to run 90% of homes once wind and solar projects being built in 2016-17 are completedAustralia’s renewable energy sector is within striking distance of matching national household power consumption, cranking out enough electricity to run 70% of homes last financial year, new figures show. The first Australian Renewable Energy Index, produced by Green Energy Markets, finds the sector will generate enough power to run 90% of homes once wind and solar projects under construction in 2016-17 are completed. “The renewable energy sector has staged a remarkable recovery, after investment completely dried-up under former prime minister Tony Abbott,” Edis said. However, the renewable jobs boom underpinned by the RET could “soon turn to bust”, he said. “Instead we can thank the thousands of everyday Australians who stood up and defended the national [RET] from Tony Abbott’s attacks, who saved [the Australian Renewable Energy Agency] from federal government budget cuts, and who pushed their state governments into showing some leadership on clean energy.”The Australian Renewable Energy Index will be published monthly.

Source: The Guardian August 27, 2017 18:00 UTC