11 October 2022
New report highlights energy policy solutions to benefit farmers, reduce cost of living
As the renewable energy wave rolls across regional Australia, Farmers for Climate Action has released a new report, Farm Powered: Opportunities for regional communities in the renewable energy boom.
The report calls on the new federal government to support solutions that benefit regional farming communities while at the same time reducing emissions.
The report’s recommendations include:
- A national climate change and agriculture policy that delivers on-farm renewables and subsidised batteries
- The introduction of renewable energy incentives for farmers to increase rapid uptake on farms and reduce input costs
- State and federal governments to provide a mechanism for annual rent to be paid to farmers for transmission lines, and better benefits for communities
Australia is looking to build almost 135GW of renewable energy and more than 10,000kms of transmission lines by 2030 to meet our emissions reduction targets.*
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Dr Fiona Davis said: “The roll out of renewable energy across Australia can be a massive positive for farming and regional communities.”
“Though critical to renewable energy’s success, current energy regulations, and policies have not sufficiently engaged nor accounted for farmers or regional communities. We need a plan to make sure farmers and farming communities can benefit from the roll-out of renewable energy at all levels; the future of Australia’s renewable energy and farms depends on it.
“Boosting on farm batteries with a subsidy will mean local energy is used locally, reducing strain on the grid and saving farmers money.”
The report also recommends allocating funding to establish a research and knowledge sharing program on agrivoltaics – the integration of solar panels with agriculture – to boost farm profitability and show communities that agriculture and energy production can co-exist.
“Farmers have the space for small and large renewable energy projects paired with on-farm storage, which would become viable if there were a subsidy available.
“Reducing farmers’ costs can reduce the cost of food on the supermarket shelves and reduce cost of living for everyday Australians,” Dr Davis said.
Professor Ross Garnaut will join with lead author Karin Stark and Farmers for Climate Action CEO Fiona Davis to launch the report today, Tuesday, 11 October 2022. The link to RSVP to join the zoom is here: https://
Karin Stark’s Farm Renewables Consulting, ReAlliance and Neil Gibbs’ consultancy Online Power were commissioned to complete the Farm Powered: Opportunities for Renewables in the Regions report.
ENDS
Farmers for Climate Action is a movement of more than 7000 farmers calling for strong economy-wide climate policies.
Media contacts: For more information and for interviews with farmers contact Jacqui Street 0498 188 528 / media@farmersforclimateaction.
