Farmers welcome NSW Government’s extra $380 million for Renewable Energy Zones

Farmers for Climate Action

Thursday June 17 2021. Putting extra funding towards establishing renewable energy zones to help increase wind, solar and storage projects is to be applauded, according to Farmers for Climate Action.

The money will be contained in next Tuesday’s state budget and the zones will be in the state’s central-west, New England, Riverina, Hunter and Illawarra.

Farmers for Climate Action CEO Fiona Davis said: “We congratulate NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean for setting the state up for a clean energy transition as the state’s coal-fired power stations reach their end of life.

“Protecting prime agricultural land from coal and gas developments – which increase emissions and hence drive climate change – is a priority.”

Farmers for Climate Action Chair, Charlie Prell, a sheep farmer from Crookwell NSW said: “Farmers are ready to help lead the clean energy transition, as climate change means agriculture has to produce more from less.

“These projects must work with and share the benefits with the regional communities they are located in.

“It’s encouraging to see the NSW government plan for the transition to a net zero economy, as the federal government puts public money towards gas projects.

“Farmers want to lead the transition to a net zero economy in Australia and have already been adapting their practices for decades to adapt to and mitigate climate change.”

/Public Release.