‘Steady’ energy change sought

A majority of Australians oppose a fast transition to renewables amid concern over higher power bills, while one in four would reject living near transmission lines, underscoring challenges facing Anthony Albanese to hit green goals.

Australia must replace its ageing fleet of coal generators, and the federal Labor government has set a target of having renewable energy generate 82 per cent of electricity by 2030 – a target that will drastically reshape the country’s $2.5tr economy and disrupt regional communities.

The transition, however, is deeply divisive and recent spikes in power pills have stoked concern that support for new renewable energy generation is waning – and a survey of 6700 Australians around the country by the CSIRO showed the issue of affordability remains a key reason for some 60 per cent of respondents insisting Australia should embrace a moderate or slow move away from fossil fuels.

Respondents were given a broad definition of each scenario.

The remaining 40 per cent said they would support a fast transition that would require substantial increases in renewable energy generation and transmission lines to carry the green power produced.

The CSIRO said the findings illustrate that Australians are supportive of reducing carbon emissions, but there is concern about the negative impact of the transition.

“In summary, while Australians generally agreed that shifting to renewable energy will have positive outcomes overall, there remains a level of uncertainty about the potential negative impacts of the transition, the survey findings read.

Labor, which is pushing aggressively to deliver new renewable energy generation, claimed a mandate for its policy.