The Repower Port Augusta Alliance has independently analysed the policies of the Labor, Coalition and Greens parties and what impact they would have on solar thermal becoming a reality in Port Augusta. We sent a survey to local candidates to determine where they stand on the issue.

We have created this easy to read scorecard to inform voters where each party stands. For a more detailed explanation of these gradings please see below.

The Coalition

Would their policies increase the chance of solar thermal being built in Port Augusta?

Score: poor commitment.

The Coalition’s commitment to cutting existing funding available for clean energy and their policy of lowest cost emissions abatement under the Direct Action plan means there is little incentive for investment in more expensive renewable technologies such as solar thermal. The Coalition’s talk of cutting renewable energy programs has driven uncertainty in the renewable energy industry, putting at risk billions of dollars of investment.

Will they keep the $13 billion of clean energy funding available?

Score: poor commitment.

Support the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) ?

The Coalition has committed to scrapping the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, a $10 billion clean energy bank established to provide low interest loans for clean energy projects creating significant investment uncertainty.

Support the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)?

On Wednesday the 28th of August the Coalition announced that it would cut funding from ARENA, a program that provides grants to projects and studies, as part of its cuts to renewable energy and climate change programs. The Coalition is yet to announce how much money it would cut from ARENA.

Have they committed to increase renewable energy funding available for solar thermal?

Score: poor commitment

The Coalition has made no commitment to increase funding available for solar thermal.

Does the local candidate support solar thermal?

Score: moderate commitment.

The sitting member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey MP, is supportive of solar thermal in Port Augusta if the project is considered economically viable by a body such as ARENA. He has committed to bringing the Coalition’s Climate Action spokesperson Greg Hunt to meet with Repower Port Augusta if the Coalition wins government. This is welcome, however his support for the proposed cuts to renewable energy funding diminishes the likelihood that solar thermal would be considered economically viable.

The Labor Party

Would their policies increase the chance of solar thermal being built in Port Augusta?

Score: moderate commitment

The Australian Labor Party established the CEFC and ARENA to facilitate investment in large scale renewable energy projects in Australia. These bodies could be used in combination to fund a solar thermal plant in Port Augusta, although they are not likely to have the resources to completely replace the Port Augusta power stations.

Will they keep the $13 billion of clean energy funding available?

Score: strong commitment

Support the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) ?

The Labor party established the CEFC, provided $10 billion in funding for it, and continue to support its existence.

Support the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)?

The Labor party support ARENA and initially funded it with $3 billion, however they did defer the spending of $370 million in the the May 2013 budget beyond the forward estimates, essentially resulting in a funding cut.

Have they committed to increase renewable energy funding available for solar thermal?

Score: poor commitment

The Labor party have made no commitment to increasing the funding available for solar thermal.

Does the local candidate support solar thermal?

Score: strong commitment

Labor’s candidate for Grey, Ben Browne, supports transitioning the Port Augusta power station to clean energy. Browne, like Ramsay, argues that the economics need to stack up for it to happen but is committed to keeping and supporting existing renewable energy policies to provide certainty for the industry.

The Australian Greens

Would their policies increase the likelihood of solar thermal being built in Port Augusta?

Score: strong commitment

The Greens are strong supporters of building solar thermal in Port Augusta and are committed to increasing funding for renewable energy by increasing the CEFC’s budget to $30 billion, raising the Renewable Energy Target to 90% and establishing a $2 billion renewable energy development zones policy in areas identified as having high potential for renewable energy - like Port Augusta.

Will they keep the $13 billion of clean energy funding available?

Score: strong commitment

Support the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)?

The Greens support the CEFC and want to increase its funding to $30 billion.

Support the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)?

The Greens support ARENA at its current level of funding.

Have they committed to increase renewable energy funding available for solar thermal?

Score = strong commitment.

The Greens have committed to increasing funding for the CEFC to $30 billion, increasing the renewable energy target to 90% by 2030 and establishing renewable energy development zones in places like Port Augusta identified for their renewable potential. This policy released in July 2013 greatly increases the funding available for projects like building solar thermal in Port Augusta.

Does the local candidate support solar thermal?

Score: strong commitment

The Greens’ candidate for Grey, Alison Sentance, is a strong supporter of building solar thermal in Port Augusta.

References

Coalition Policy
“Climate of Uncertainty” Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 19 2013 http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/climate-of-uncertainty-20130818-2s55k.html

"Our Plan to Abolish the Carbon Tax” http://www.liberal.org.au/our-plan-abolish-carbon-tax

“Coalition to Cut ARENA Funding” Climate Spectator, Aug 28 2013 www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/8/28/renewable-energy/coalition-cut-arena-funding

Labor Policy

“Budget Defers Renewable Energy Development When Its Needed Most” The Conversation, May 15, 2013. http://theconversation.com/budget-defers-renewable-energy-development-when-its-needed-most-14255

Greens Policy

“Let’s lead the way again in green energy, says Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young” The Advertiser, September 27, 2020 http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/lets-lead-the-way-again-in-green-energy-says-greens-senator-for-south-australia-sarah-hanson-young/story-e6frea83-1226482818817

http://greensmps.org.au/content/news-stories/greens-clean-energy-roadmap-australia

http://greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/connecting_clean_energy.pdf