Cheaper power aim of study

THREE agricultural representative groups have commissioned research into more affordable energy for farmers in Queensland and New South Wales.

Queensland Farmers’ Federation, NSW Irrigators’ Council and Cotton Australia will conduct the project, with the research to be carried out at the Sydney-based Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology.

The results will be taken to network providers to explore new ways of providing affordable energy to farmers.

NSWIC policy manager Stefanie Schulte says the study will bring together previous research on energy use and pricing with new investigations on how farmers have tackled the energy challenges, including those who have implemented renewable energy solutions.

“Electricity supply is a complex issue and we need everyone to work together to solve these key issues,” she said.

The results of the study are expected to come out later in the year.