The Northern Territory (NT) Country Liberal Party Government says it plans to scrap the former Labor government’s target of 50% renewable energy generation by 2030, labelling it “unachievable”.
“Years of inaction, lack of coordinated infrastructure investment, rising power prices, and grid instability under the previous Labor government has made it clear that attempting to meet this target would put an unacceptable financial burden on Territorians and crippling pressure on our ageing electricity network,” the NT Government said in a statement.
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Minister for Mining and Energy and Minister for Renewables, Gerard Maley, said the CLP Government was taking a “responsible” and “pragmatic long-term approach” to energy reform.
“Our government has promised 2025 will be a year of action, certainty and security, and that’s what these changes will deliver,” he said.
“We are taking decisive action to secure the Territory’s energy future by developing vital reforms to improve grid reliability, lower costs, and ensure a stable and well-managed energy transition.”
The NT Government has capped retail electricity prices to 3%, with other measures including strategic investment in energy infrastructure to address forecasted energy supply shortfalls; expansion of large-scale solar and battery storage to reduce the cost of supply whilst maintaining grid stability; and development of the Beetaloo Sub-basin gas project.
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“Our focus is on delivering an affordable, reliable, and secure energy system that meets the needs of families, businesses, and industry—now and into the future,” Maley said.
“That means balancing renewables with gas to optimise grid stability, drive down costs, and ensure supply security.”
