Strong support for government-backed renewable energy future

A new survey reveals that Australians are strongly in favour of government-owned energy infrastructure and public investment in renewables with 75% of those polled saying government should play a more active role in building and running energy assets while 60% believe new renewable energy projects should be at least partly publicly owned.

The results of the survey, conducted by data agency 89 Degrees East on behalf of Renew Australia For All, also show strong support for the transition to renewables with the public increasingly in favour of government continuing to act ambitiously.

There is high support for establishing and accelerating the development of a renewable energy export industry with 64% of the more than 2,000 respondents believing it is critical for Australia’s future, while 69% believe a renewables-powered manufacturing industry would generate new jobs in regional communities.

A clear majority also voiced support for Australia building its industry around a renewable energy future with 73% of respondents agreeing that government should invest to help manufacturing facilities access cheaper renewable energy.

Strong support also for public ownership of energy infrastructure with 68% of those polled backing calls for more publicly owned energy assets in the future. Support for energy infrastructure privatisation is much lower with just 26% saying privatising energy infrastructure has been good for the country.

Electrical Trades Union (ETU) National Secretary Michael Wright said the data shows Australians understand that public renewable energy is the path forward for the nation.

“This polling shows the vast majority of Australians want a future with Australian industry and jobs powered by renewable energy.”

“Our government has already showed their commitment to ambitious industrial policy and renewable energy targets” he said. “This polling shows the vast majority of Australians want a future with Australian industry and jobs powered by renewable energy.”

“With global energy supply more volatile than ever, and rising power costs pushing our industry to breaking point, Australians know we need more sustainable, reliable energy generation right here.”

The release of the survey results coincides with the launch of ‘Sovereign Power,’ a proposal for a Commonwealth-owned agency to build, own and operate renewable energy projects predominantly to power Australian industry.

Wright said national sentiment showed that now is the time for Australia to implement the McKell Institute’s recommendation of Sovereign Power from its Powering Australia’s Future report released earlier this month.

“People know that Australian jobs, industry and communities need reliable, low-cost, long-term electricity to be sustainable,” he said. “Sovereign Power aligns with the work government has already been doing to provide Australian workers and industry with the solutions they need.”