Renewable energy targets: how far have we come?

Australia's journey toward renewable energy has been a tale of remarkable technological progress hampered by political uncertainty. As we assess our progress against renewable energy targets, one thing becomes crystal clear: the decisions shaping our energy future have been made in parliamentary corridors rather than through genuine community consultation.

Where we stand today

Australia's renewable energy sector has experienced extraordinary growth over the past decade. The Renewable Energy Target (RET) of 33,000 GWh by 2020 was successfully achieved, with renewable sources now contributing approximately 35% of Australia's electricity generation as of 2024. This represents a dramatic shift from just 15% in 2015.

The numbers tell an impressive story: - Solar capacity has grown from 5 GW in 2018 to over 25 GW in 2024 - Wind energy now contributes more than 11 GW to the national grid - Battery storage installations have increased by 400% since 2022 - Over 3.2 million Australian households now have rooftop solar systems

Yet despite these achievements, Australia still faces significant challenges. Our per-capita emissions remain among the highest in the developed world, and the International Energy Agency continues to rank us poorly on climate action relative to our economic capacity.

The policy rollercoaster

Perhaps no sector has been more affected by Australia's political instability than renewable energy. Since 2007, we've witnessed:

• The introduction and subsequent abolition of a carbon tax
• Multiple changes to renewable energy targets
• Start-stop funding for major projects like Snowy 2.0
• Inconsistent state and federal policy coordination
• The ongoing debate over nuclear energy integration

This policy uncertainty has cost Australia dearly. The Clean Energy Council estimates that political instability has delayed approximately $15 billion in renewable energy investments and set back our transition timeline by at least five years.

Current targets and reality checks

The Australian government's current commitment includes: - 82% renewable electricity by 2030 - Net zero emissions by 2050 - $20 billion in clean energy investments through the Rewiring the Nation initiative

While ambitious, these targets face practical hurdles. Grid infrastructure requires massive upgrades, with AEMO estimating we need to build five times more transmission infrastructure in the next two decades than we built in the previous twenty years. Meanwhile, communities affected by new transmission lines often feel excluded from planning processes.

Regional areas, which host much of our renewable energy infrastructure, frequently report feeling like their voices aren't heard in energy planning decisions. Coal-dependent communities worry about transition support, while farming communities want genuine input on wind and solar developments on agricultural land.

The technology success story

Despite policy headwinds, Australian innovation in renewable energy has been remarkable. We're world leaders in:

• Perovskite solar cell research at the Australian National University
• Grid-scale battery technology deployment
• Hybrid renewable energy systems
• Green hydrogen production trials

Australian companies like Tritium and Redflow have become global players in clean energy technology. Our research institutions consistently punch above their weight in renewable energy innovation.

Why direct democracy matters for energy policy

Energy policy affects every Australian household and business, yet most of us have never been directly consulted on the major decisions shaping our energy future. Traditional political processes have given us:

• Policy changes that swing with electoral cycles
• Industry lobbying that often drowns out community voices
• Regional communities feeling powerless over developments in their areas
• Urban-rural divides on energy infrastructure

Direct democracy could transform how we approach renewable energy targets by:

Ensuring genuine community input: Rather than politicians deciding where transmission lines go or which technologies receive support, affected communities could vote directly on proposals after receiving comprehensive, unbiased information.

Creating policy stability: When citizens vote directly on energy targets and policies, the resulting decisions carry democratic legitimacy that survives changes of government. This stability would encourage long-term investment.

Bridging urban-rural divides: Direct democracy forums could bring together urban energy consumers and rural energy producers to find solutions that work for everyone.

Focusing on evidence, not politics: Citizen deliberation processes consistently show that when people receive good information and time to consider complex issues, they make thoughtful decisions based on evidence rather than partisan talking points.

The path forward

Australia has proven we can build renewable energy infrastructure quickly when policy settings are stable. We have the natural resources, technical expertise, and community support for a clean energy transition. What we lack is a democratic process that gives all Australians a genuine say in decisions that will shape our energy future for generations.

The question isn't whether we can meet our renewable energy targets – it's whether we'll do so through top-down political decisions or through genuine democratic participation.

Ready to have your say on Australia's energy future? [Take our policy quiz](https://directdemocracy.com.au/quiz) to see how your views align with current renewable energy policies, or [join our movement](https://directdemocracy.com.au/join) to help build a democracy where your voice matters on the decisions that affect your life.