Regional communities, particularly those living in renewable energy regions across Australia, now have certainty following the weekend's federal election result.
The nation has clearly endorsed the job we're already halfway through completing: powering our national electricity grid with a mix of renewable sources.
RE-Alliance, an independent not-for-profit working for more than a decade with regional communities at the centre of the shift to renewables, is now calling for bipartisan support to put the needs of the regions first.
RE-Alliance National Director Andrew Bray said: "Using energy as a political football creates uncertainty and risk for regional communities trying to plan for our future, when the job is already complex enough.
"The federal election result was emphatic in removing any uncertainty of Australia's national direction towards an energy system primarily powered by renewable sources.
"We now need to redouble our efforts to ensure the shift to renewables is actively contributing to the strength and resilience of our regions," Mr Bray said.
Australia's national grid is already powered by a 40% mix of renewables and storage. By the next federal election, Australia's main electricity grid is expected to be more than two-thirds powered with renewables and storage.
"We now have a chance to reset and come together in renewable energy regions and stop the politicking. Instead, let's take the opportunity to work with our communities to ensure that renewable projects are done right.
"Polling consistently shows that people in the regions generally support the shift to renewable energy - so long as it's done in a way that benefits our communities and minimises impacts on nature.
"We look forward to working with regional MPs from all parties on practical solutions, like Local Energy Hubs, that ensure regional communities have the information and resources to participate in and benefit from the energy shift that is underway across the country.
"There is no stronger way to indicate to rural and regional Australia that you're putting them first in the rollout," Mr Bray said.
