The Climate Council welcomes today’s announcement of $1.8 billion to accelerate NSW’s switch to clean energy – including $800 million in extra funding to the government’s election commitment.

Climate Council Head of Advocacy, Dr Jennifer Rayner, said: “The $800 million of new funding for transmission is the jump start we needed to get NSW back in the clean energy game. New transmission is one key to unlocking more renewable energy capacity across the state and beyond. 

“While the focus is on accelerating the build out of transmission, the $1 billion to set up the Energy Security Corporation will provide better community access to batteries. We should also be working out how more households can have smart meters and electric vehicle charging, efficient electric appliances and energy efficiency to lower their energy costs.

“This announcement is the next big step forward in what should be a strong push to electrify households and ensure all NSW residents benefit from cheap and abundant renewable energy.

“If the NSW government goes all-in on these initiatives, then it can power past the challenge of phasing out coal from our energy system, and close our biggest coal-fired power station, Eraring, by 2025 as planned.” 

For interviews please contact George Hyde on 0431 330 919 or george.hyde@climatecouncil.org.au.

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

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