Renewable energy only half the story

WHENEVER I see an announcement of another solar or wind “farm” to be constructed to generate a substantial number of megawatt hours of renewable energy each year, which it is claimed will enough to power 1000s of homes, I get the feeling that we are being told only half, or effectively in energy supplied terms, less than half the story.

What is not stated is for how many hours per day will this climate changing energy source reliably supply power to the number of homes claimed?

In my understanding, the sun shines for only about half the time on a clear 24-hour day on average throughout the year, which is further reduced by the number of cloudy and rainy periods. To compound the problem, as the cluster of solar and wind plants now approved for construction in the Darling Downs, Western Downs and Kingaroy region are all within the same time and climatic zones, will it be a case of one out/all out/ lights out?

As these renewable energy” farms”/plants are designed to be connected directly into the existing power grid, without provision of battery storage or construction of gas-fired generating plants, I question where the energy to power the 1000s of homes claimed will be sourced on a 24/7 basis?

I grew up during a period when reliable and comparatively cheap power underpinned my working career and lifestyle, based on the assumption that when I flicked the switch I got power at an affordable price on my family budget and more importantly at an economic price to industry. I always appreciated that somewhere there was a reliable coal fired power station operating to keep the lights on.

So I question:

1. If the renewable energy industry is effectively destroying the economic viability of the existing coal fired generators, who and from where will reliable energy be sourced 24/7 in the future without mandated contributions by the renewable energy plant promoters to fund back up gas, or nuclear plants if we are really serious about decreasing carbon dioxide emissions, and

2. If renewable energy plants are the preferred future energy source in a carbon free world, why are promoters reliant on State and Federal subsidies at high cost to taxpayers to attract investors? Should not the market interpret and decide investor/consumer preferences? and

3. Why are power prices increasing rather than falling if renewable energy is powered by nature and maintained by minimal work forces on completion?

I get the feeling that some people are benefiting from Australia’s token commitment to mitigate ‘climate change’ and it is not the consumers. Are we being slowly conned?

JOHN COMPTON, Toowoomba

‘‘ I GET THE FEELING THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE BENEFITING FROM AUSTRALIA’S TOKEN COMMITMENT TO MITIGATE ‘CLIMATE CHANGE’ AND IT IS NOT THE CONSUMERS.