Labor needs to double the pace of its renewable energy rollout to meet 2030 emissions target. Can it be done?

Australia will need to deploy solar much faster than it has until now if Labor is to meet its target for the share of renewables in the energy mix. Photograph: zstockphotos/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Australia will need to double the pace of its renewable energy uptake to meet the 2030 emissions target set by the Albanese government, even without any increase in demand, according to Bruce Mountain, head of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre.

Labor’s main energy policy, Rewiring the Nation, includes the creation of a special corporation to funnel $20bn into new transmission links to accelerate the uptake of more clean energy. The plan is part of Labor’s pledge to cut Australia’s 2005-level greenhouse gas emissions 43% by 2030, projecting renewables reach an 82% share of renewables in the National Electricity Market by then.