Is Tassie clean energy push big enough

Premier’s bold renewable target needs to extend to small farm systems, says David Downie

AS a Tasmanian farmer who is seeing the impact of climate change on my own property near Campbell Town, I was pleased to see Premier Peter Gutwein setting Tasmania’s sights on a 200 per cent renewable energy target by 2040.

Our water storage levels are unseasonably low, and we’ve seen temperatures creeping upwards over the past few years — not to mention the increased bushfire risk in parts of the state. We know climate change is affecting us now, and Premier Gutwein’s leadership is indeed welcome.

His ambitious target recognises that shifting to renewable energy is the most effective way to combat climate change and that wind, sun and water resources provide the cheapest form of energy today.

Tasmania’s Hydro heritage and growing corporate-owned wind assets have put us on track to be fully renewables-powered in the next few years. Doubling this target will enable us to participate in the global renewable energy boom.

But to ensure this huge growth benefits locals and gives Tasmanians a slice of the pie, delivery of this target cannot focus solely on largescale wind and hydro. There must be support for mid-sized, locally owned wind and solar projects too.

For instance, 5 megawatt or smaller solar farms could service towns, regions and clusters of high demand energy users like farmers. Small on-farm wind turbines could complement solar arrays, powering pump and irrigation assets, dairies, cool rooms and workshops.

Many farmers, myself included, have massive power bills on different parts of our farms, even as we deal with the economic challenges posed by droughts, bushfires and rising temperatures. This stops us from spending money on equipment, expanding our workforce, and irrigation.

Easier access to renewables would help us cut our bills and become more productive and resilient. We would be able to invest more in employing workers and farm improvements, all of which would keep money in communities and strengthen local economies.

Equally importantly, more small-scale renewable generation would make Tasmania’s energy network cheaper to maintain and potentially reduce bills for all Tasmanians.

Many parts of the power network have forecasts of increasing demand at peak periods, and enhancements are desperately needed. If energy demand rises further, network constraints will become problematic.

On-farm renewable energy reduces pressure on the poles and wires network and would help network providers avoid costly upgrades — and the

inevitable increases to electricity bills that would be needed to fund these upgrades.

If Tasmanian farmers could grow the high-quality food we’re known for powered by renewables, the products leaving our shores would continue to draw a premium too. Even better, every kilowatt generated and consumed in the community makes another kilowatt available for hydro and big wind farms to export to the mainland. Our energy would go further to displace coalfired power and speed up the transition to a zero-emissions energy system that doesn’t worsen climate change.

On the mainland, bushfire-ravaged towns are already incorporating solar-powered microgrids into their recovery plans, so they can keep the lights on even if a future natural disaster cuts them off from the main grid.

A 5MW solar system on our paddocks could easily provide the same service for nearby homes during flood or bushfire, making our communities more resilient to climate change impacts.

Small-scale renewables have the potential to benefit Tasmanians, but regulations are holding this back.

Changing the policy to allow us to share renewable energy across meters on the farm is a logical reform that would unlock huge investment across the state while benefiting the grid, without the government having to spend a single cent on subsidies.

Our state is blessed with incredible wind and solar resources, great soil and water, and smart farmers who are dedicated to growing food for the rest of the country.

The Premier’s 200 per cent renewable energy target recognises our renewable energy potential, and the need to act boldly to tackle climate change. We have what it takes to achieve this target — but let’s do it in a way that delivers opportunities, savings and security for everyday Tasmanians.