NSW Parliament launch inquiry into the sustainability of its energy future

The New South Wales Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment and Planning has launched an inquiry into the future sustainability of the state’s energy supply and resources. The question being asked: “What does the future of energy look like in NSW?”

July 18, 2019 Blake Matich

Image: Youtube/Parliament of NSW

The inquiry, chaired by Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich (MP), will investigate economic opportunities in the renewable energy sector, whilst also keeping an eye out for how NSW can best support regional communities in the energy transition.

“Planning for NSW’s energy future is critical”, said Greenwich. “We must take a holistic approach to energy. This including supporting the regions to adapt and thrive as more sustainable economies for the long term.”

The inquiry will seek to understand and consider current and future trends in energy supply and exports. Australian states and territories could potentially export energy in a post-carbon economy, as proposed by plans such as the potential 10 GW Sun Cable solar project in the Northern Territory that could power both Darwin and Singapore. It will be interesting to see if more states follow NSW into launching inquiries into their own potential renewable energy export opportunities.

However, first and foremost, the inquiry is interested in transitioning NSW’s own power supply to renewables with the most minimal impact on the communities most at risk to the pains of change. “An important part of transitioning to renewable energy sources is minimising the disruption in affected communities,” said Greenwich, “This involves understanding energy market forecasts in NSW and building economic resilience.”

Aside from impacted communities, NSW is undeniably trailing some other states in the transition towards renewables. Figures from Green Energy Markets released last month point to the state needing to increase renewable deployment to 46% of total electricity consumption by 2030 to meet its goal, notably not a legislated target, of zero net emissions from its power sector by 2050. By contrast, on its current trajectory NSW is only on track to achieve 28% by 2030.

The NSW Parliament is looking for investment opportunities that transition to the future with providing a helping hand to the past. This means supporting sustainable development projects in regional and other communities affected by the decline of fossil fuels. “We have to look at opportunities for communities and invest in retraining and job creation,” said Greenwich.

Submissions to the inquiryfor the state’s energy transition are open until 15 September 2019.

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