Australia could aim for 50% renewable energy by 2030 – International Report

Australia urged to aim for 50+% renewables by 2030 REneweconomy. By Giles Parkinson on 6 June 2014 Leading international agency says Australia should become one of world leaders in renewables, arguing that the world could double renewable capacity by 2030, save money and slash emissions in the process.

The International Renewable Energy Agency has finalised its ground making REMap 2030 report, confirming its previous estimates that the world could double its renewable energy capacity by 2030,which would not only save money, it would help avoid climate catastrophe.

The report, released in New York overnight, finds that scaling up renewables to 36 per cent renewable energy by 2030 is not just doable, it is affordable and would lay a crucial pathway to meeting climate goals of capping emissions at below 450 parts per million.

Australia is one of the countries seen in a position of leadership on renewables. As this graph below illustrates, IRENA says that Australia could aim to have more than 50 per cent renewables in its electricity grid by 2030, largely through wind, but also with significant contributions from solar.

Australia is one of the countries seen in a position of leadership on renewables. ( graph ), IRENA says that Australia could aim to have more than 50 per cent renewables in its electricity grid by 2030, largely through wind, but also with significant contributions from solar.

IRENA says the role of variable renewables such as wind and solar is critical, but does not pose any serious technological barriers. Even at a global average of 18 per cent wind and solar, this is less than the share of variable renewables icurrently are integrated into the electricity systems of De mark, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Spain – and South Australia it should be noted.

“Only a handful of countries – Australia, Denmark, Germany, Morocco, Tonga and the United Kingdom – will reach shares of variable renewables of 30 per cent or higher,” it says………http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/australia-urged-aim-50-renewables-2030