Our society relies on the consumption of energy to provide us with the goods and services we need and value. Many of the fundamental aspects of our existence, such as transport, heating and cooling, water supply and sewerage require energy. We have come
Our society relies on the consumption of energy to provide us with the goods and services we need and value. Many of the fundamental aspects of our existence, such as transport, heating and cooling, water supply and sewerage require energy. We have come to rely on low cost, reliable and secure energy supplies in order for our economy and society to function.
Energy, in the form of heat, electricity or fuel for transport is derived from many sources. Historically this energy has been sourced mainly from fossil fuels, i.e. coal, oil and natural gas; but this has led to localised air, ground and water pollution and ultimately to climate change.
The Greens (WA) are committed to an energy future that produces and utilises energy in the most efficient and environmentally sustainable way. This is not only for the obvious environmental benefits, but also for the economic and societal benefits that will accrue through adoption of the associated new technologies and business models. The transition to renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, represents the future for Western Australia.
The Greens (WA) want:
- clean, safe, secure, reliable and diverse energy supplies that are produced as efficiently as possible
- rapid transition to a net zero-pollution economy that is primarily based on renewable sources of energy and efficient energy conversion processes, with specific near and long-term targets
- Western Australia to transition to 100% renewables by 2030 for stationary energy (see Energy 2030)
- Western Australia to become a source of expertise in the application of low polluting technology through research, engineering and business innovation and investment
The Greens (WA) will initiate and support the following legislation and actions:
State Energy Plan
- develop a long term State Energy Plan that includes:
- transition to zero-carbon energy for transport, industry, agriculture and electricity generation
- consideration of the various electricity grids and how they can be optimised to reduce costs, improve access to renewable energy sources and improve service, e.g. replace the inefficient parts of the South West Interconnected System with micro-grids
- transition plans to phase out fossil fuel electricity generation
- emissions reduction targets with timetables (see also The Greens (WA) Climate Change policy)
- an implementation plan that identifies the accountable bodies, regulatory changes, costs, timeframes and reporting requirements
Renewable Energy (see also Energy 2030)
- commission a planning study for 2030 100% renewable energy scenarios for the Western Australian electricity market
- reform electricity market access arrangements to allow maximum possible participation by renewable energy suppliers, and work to harmonise these arrangements with a national open-access regime
- establish a feed-in tariff scheme, to provide long-term, guaranteed prices for prospective renewable energy supply technologies until they no longer require such assistance
- establish streamlined processes for planning approvals and electricity network connections for utility-scale renewable energy plants
Regulatory and Institutional
- identify regulatory barriers to achieving a zero-emissions economy and institute timetables to remove those barriers
- require each Government agency to report annually on its energy usage. Each agency will establish targets for energy use and report on its achievement of those targets and how they can be improved
- support community engagement in household renewable technology options, energy efficiency measures and energy auditing.
- ensure compliance with the minimum requirements for energy efficiency in new buildings
- encourage modifications to existing buildings to improve energy efficiency.
- require new homes to have high standards of energy efficiency included at the design stage (see The Greens (