Policies/Energy, Environment and Climate Change

The Pirate Party proposes the following measures to cut carbon emissions and improve Australia’s economic resilience.

Institute a 10-year construction project to build a renewable energy grid.

 * 195TWh/yr base-load power will be generated through construction of 12 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants.
 * Each plant will house molten salt power storage facilities and utilize 18,000 heliostats.
 * Waste biomass co-firing will provide backup power.
 * Facilities will be positioned in areas of marginal land with high solar exposure.
 * Modular designs will maximize replication and economies of scale.
 * 130TWh/yr additional base-load power will be generated through deployment of wind turbines.
 * Use of large turbines and separation into 23 geographic sites will counter localized variability.
 * Existing upgrades of the electricity grid will be expanded to include:
 * Installation of high-voltage transmissions from CSP plants
 * Installation of plug-in connections from power generators
 * Interconnection of grids
 * Upgrades in transmissions technology, incorporating HVDC and HVAC systems
 * Inclusion of more active demand-side load management, including SmartGrid systems.
 * Funding arrangements will ensure that the full cost of the project (estimated at $370 billion over 10 years) is met without the accumulation of long-term debt. These measures will include:
 * The sale of a portion of completed power generation assets.
 * Some power generation may be retained under public ownership to provide consumer choice and price competition.
 * A $4/week household energy levy (raising approximately one-half of revenue required over the duration of the scheme).
 * The existing RET will be phased out to reduce cost pressures on households.
 * Investments supported by the RET will instead be supported through direct funding and inclusion within the wider renewable energy grid.
 * Incorporation of the initial $10 billion allocated to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, as well as existing ARENA funds, and
 * Revenue raised through the carbon price.
 * The carbon tax will be maintained in current form until completion of the project, and then removed.
 * Governance arrangements will provide expert oversight and accountability.
 * An independent Energy Transition Organisation (ETO) will be formed to oversee construction of the renewable energy grid.
 * The ETO will receive a single up-front grant and will be responsible for allocating funds over the subsequent 10 years in an efficient, systematic and effective manner.
 * The ETO will be responsible for examining and incorporating new and developing technology into the plan.
 * The duties and staff of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will be incorporated.
 * Surplus funds following asset sales will be returned to general revenue.
 * Placement will include plans for construction and investment in remote and deprived areas, including willing indigenous communities, where technically feasible.

Improve incentives to reduce electricity demand and increase efficiency.

 * Enhance and unify solar PV incentives to increase power generation in the community.
 * Work through COAG to centralize funding arrangements for solar feed-in tariffs and apply a uniform nationwide scheme.
 * Net metering can be replaced with gross metering.
 * A single compliance and regulation regime will apply to solar companies.
 * Best practice recommendations from the Australian Solar Council can be adopted including a stronger compliance regime, improved staff development and training, and a "trust mark" program to assist consumers in identifying reliable companies.
 * Extend solar tariffs from existing coverage (households only), to include businesses and community groups.
 * Guarantee tariff rebates for 20 years and guarantee a 15 year payback period.
 * Review building standards to seek compliance with 10-star global best practice.

Phase out subsidies to fossil fuel industries.

 * Phase-out will conclude on the completion of the new energy grid.

Utilise market-driven solutions to reduce emissions from liquid fuels.

 * Institute a Renewable Fuel Target with a mandate for 50% of vehicle fuel to be supplied from renewable sources by 2030.

Curb emissions exports.

 * Ban development or expansion of coal fired power stations.
 * Apply a moratorium on new and expanded coal mines.
 * This moratorium will be lifted in when effective carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) is made commercially available. Sales of coal from new or expanded mines may then commence subject to agreement from the purchaser to utilize CCS.