The group Rethink Renewables who put up a big sign, “Rethink Renewables”, evidently don’t think that renewables are a bad thing.
I assumed that they were against renewables and said that did not reflect the community attitude.
The good thing is that Arthur Gorrie, Katie McCullum and I all agree that some renewables are good.
So that is settled.
The words “Rethink Renewables” evidently means large scale renewables are bad.
Perhaps their sign should should say so!
But we need large scale renewables.
The simple facts prove that.
1. In the next 25 years we need to double the production of electricity to account for electrification, population growth and data centres.
2. Renewables are cheapest.
Every neutral study shows this.
That’s why we put them on the roof.
CSIRO sets the current centre point of estimates at Coal $114; Gas $143; Modular nuclear $301; Large Nuclear $187; Wind and PV plus firming $107 (per MwH).
3. Of course wind and solar are much cheaper than that but to be effective they need to be stored.
The cheapest long term storage is pumped hydro – like Borumba.
It is cheaper and more adaptable than batteries even if it is “old technology”.
4. The generation of renewables can be done on land where the farmer agrees with the project.
My friend has about 1000Ha of sheep country in Victoria and 7 wind turbines.
He tells me that he has no reduction in production, farm access is much better and he can put money into further improvements.
The same applies to solar.
If you don’t want the project, and the income, refuse it.
5. Power lines are different.
The government has to be able to get a route for roads, railways, water and gas pipelines and electricity.
We are going to need a lot more power lines whatever the source of the power.
All the government can do is work out the best route and try to ensure that affected people are properly compensated.
6. Borumba pumped hydro is a magnificent project for Gympie.
It will lead to road development, more housing and jobs and Gympie will play a part in preventing catastrophic climate change.
I don’t know whether the Borumba project has majority community support.
I think that it has but we will find out.
It would be a pity if the “Town that saved Queensland” rejected the chance to develop again and became mainly a collection of houses.
Reg Lawler,
Dagun
