PIAC responded to the expanded NSW Inquiry into the Sustainability of Energy Supply and Resources. The inquiry was expanded to explore the opportunities of renewable energy in the COVID-19 economic recovery.
We recommend the state government prioritise renewables in its recovery measures, in particular we recommend it implement an energy efficiency retrofit scheme targeted at low income households and renters.
We caution against prioritising gas in recovery plans and recommend the state focus on transitioning households and businesses to electricity while providing direct assistance to consumers struggling with high gas prices.
We highlight issues with the Snowy 2 scheme and recommend it is not prioritised in COVID-19 stimulus and that in any case, the project should pay all of the transmission costs required for it to operate.
We recommend the state encourage the delivery of Renewable Energy Zones and expand support for access to residential batteries.
