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ARTICLE · 10 OCTOBER 2012

Renewable Energy: Is 20% By 2020 Really Achievable?

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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In its Draft Renewable Energy Action Plan, NSW commits to achieving the national target of 20% renewable energy by 2020.

AustraliaEnergy and Natural Resources
Louise Camenzuli
Louise Camenzuli
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RELEASE OF THE DRAFT NSW RENEWABLE ENERGY ACTION PLAN

In its Draft NSW Renewable Energy Action Plan, the NSW Government has committed to achieving the national target of 20% renewable energy by 2020.

But it's not the commitment that will be the predictor of success. The real issue lies in the State's current and proposed environmental and planning laws. Are they serving to help or hinder renewable energy development in the State?

Solar and wind resources have already been identified as the key 'renewable' players, spurred on by predictions that by 2030 solar photovoltaic (PV) or onshore wind energy will be among the cheapest renewable energies to produce.

Bloomberg forecasts Australia can expect a $36 billion investment in renewable energies in the decade to 2020, with $18 billion invested in wind energy and $16 billion invested in large and small-scale solar PV.

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