Australian energy shift’s success is uncertain

Significance

Australia’s energy network is undergoing transition. While the government’s current priority is managing COVID-19, the issue of energy and renewables will resurge, and it has contributed to disagreements within the governing Liberal-National coalition.

Impacts

• Policy lags caused by political resistance to renewables could cost many jobs.
• Policy delays could also mean many renewable energy projects are delayed, cancelled or not undertaken.
• Support for new fossil fuel plants will continue to weaken due to the withdrawal of bank funding.
• The government’s carbon emissions package could divert funding from infrastructure upgrades.