Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has announced that the nation is on track for a near-record level of solar power generation. Bowen revealed that one in three Australian homes now have rooftop solar panels, with the country expected to add 3.15 gigawatts of capacity to the grid this year.
According to Bowen, rooftop solar installations have saved households over $1,500 (US$970) on their annual power bills and have contributed to lowering wholesale prices. He celebrated the milestone of the four millionth solar installation under the Albanese Government’s Reliable Renewables Plan, attributing part of this success to the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which reduces upfront solar installation costs by about 30 percent.
Bowen emphasized the importance of increasing the adoption of solar power in homes as part of Labor’s renewables-only strategy for Australia’s energy supply. He highlighted the contrast between Labor’s approach and the opposition’s “anti-renewables” stance, criticizing the latter for its nuclear-focused scheme that he believes would not create jobs or energy for another 20 years.
Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton cautioned against over-reliance on renewables, advocating for a balanced energy mix to ensure affordable, clean, and reliable electricity for the nation. He pointed out that a significant portion of Australia’s baseload electricity, mainly from coal-fired power stations, is approaching the end of its operational life, making nuclear energy a viable option.
Dutton also raised concerns about the costs associated with Labor’s renewables-focused plan, citing the need for millions of additional solar panels, new wind turbines, and transmission lines, which experts estimate could amount to between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion. Please rewrite this sentence for me.
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