TRANSCRIPT
Renewable stakeholders have descended on Sydney for an annual meeting where some of the most important discussions happen behind closed doors.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has welcomed senior representatives from India's industry and energy sectors.
"I can think of none more important than our renewable energy partnership with India. I regard it as being in the top rank of our bilateral relations when it comes to renewable energy and renewable energy-related manufacturing. Hence, it's received a lot of attention from me and the government over the last two years, and I think that's quite right, and that can only be enhanced by this dialogue. I'm a long-term supporter of the Australia-India dialogue."
Among them are senior figures from Suzlon, which holds a 17 per cent share in Australia's wind energy market, with a sizable footprint beyond the sub-continent.
Chief Executive of Suzlon Group JP Chalasani explains the importance of the partnership between Australia and India.
"Australia is one of the pioneers of renewable energy. We have so much to collaborate whether it is in terms of technology, in terms of the storage that the technology is going into. There are various ways we can collaborate. I think this is the right time looking at the energy transition phase India and Australia are in. An opportune time for the dialogue to see what we can do in Australia and what Australia can do in India."
But Mr Chalasani says a change in the federal government's commitment could create challenges.
"One of the most important factors is policy stability, you can't have a frequent change of policies. Policy stability in the long term feasibility of the policy is very important. That's what we're seeing today in most countries, whether it's in India or Australia. Now I think the energy transition policies more or less have given stability to the countries."
To achieve net zero, the Albanese government is pressing ahead with its renewable roll-out, targeting an emissions cut of 43 per cent by decade's end.
But the Opposition says it will go to the next election without a commitment to a 2030 target, instead calling for nuclear to play a leading role.
Kane Thornton, from the Clean Energy Council, says there's wariness among the industry to the idea.
"There's a focus on nuclear, there's a focus on reducing the amount of renewables, and that creates a lot of anxiety for investors who were expected to invest many billions of dollars in projects that have a long life. So this is an emerging challenge for the clean energy sector in Australia."
In response, Opposition Energy spokesman Ted O'Brien argues investment under the Government has already stalled.
He says "the Coalition believes in a balanced mix of technologies including renewables and gas, with zero-emissions nuclear energy replacing coal as it retires from the system".
At the moment, the number one resource Australia sends to India is coal.
It makes up 85 per cent of Australia's total exports to the country, worth around $40 billion.
Lisa Singh, from the Australia India Institute, says it's hoped this trip will promote more helpful collaboration for both countries.
"What I'm hoping out of this dialogue is that we see new business opportunities, new academic research, collaboration and a stronger government-to-government connection to ensure we have a stronger partnership to decarbonise and create a clean energy future."
