ENGIE

• The problem is, communities are often not sold on having to host new transmission lines.
• In my research, I work with RE-Alliance, a community organisation working to help local communities actually benefit from the energy transition.
• Projects are much more likely to succeed when communities feel the project is theirs or includes them.

Community pushback could scupper the green transition

• Around 300 wind, solar and transmission projects are being delayed by local opposition, stalling A$132 billion of investments and 74,000 jobs.
• Communities can bristle if they feel a project is imposed on them – especially if it feels like a cost without benefits.
• Developers who engage with communities from the beginning and work to tackle concerns and issues collectively have a better chance of success.

Focus on local benefits

• But some local residents are strongly sceptical of transmission projects, which means some renewable projects can’t proceed.
• As the organisation’s CEO Chris Souness told me:
  Renewable energy will thrive [in this region] if developers and communities collaborate, the interests of the farming communities and rural towns are supported, and the benefits flow to communities.
• Renewable energy will thrive [in this region] if developers and communities collaborate, the interests of the farming communities and rural towns are supported, and the benefits flow to communities.
• Others worried wind and solar farms could damage the local environment.

How do we do better when time is so short?

• The conundrum we face is we know we need to do better, but we have only a narrow window of time to green the grid.
• One avenue is to focus on the long-term prosperity of these projects, both for landowners hosting them and for the broader community.
• For farmers battling increasingly volatile growing and grazing conditions due to climate change, renewables offer new income streams.

• The federal government must find ways of better communicating their plans at local level.
• Explain why we need to do this, what the benefits are to communities, and why transmission is key.
• The government could consider a CSIRO-based research centre focused on environment, technology and social outcomes in the energy transition.

Dr Simon Wright is a member of RE-Alliance, a not-for-profit renreable advocacy organisation focused on the clean energy transition in the regions.

• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240226278249/en/
  Schneider Electric Announces Innovative Tax Credit Transfer Agreement with ENGIE to Accelerate Progress Toward its 100 per cent Renewable Energy Goal in North America (Photo: Business Wire)
  The contracted projects are expected to come online throughout 2024 and will enable Schneider Electric to get closer to its 100 per cent renewable energy goal in the U.S. and Canada.
• This new solar-plus-storage agreement for the U.S. and Canada with ENGIE, a leading developer of renewables, will help us reach that goal,” said Aamir Paul, President, North America Operations.
• Schneider Electric was advised on the deal by consultants from its Sustainability Business , the world’s largest advisor on corporate renewable energy procurement .
• With its 20+ years of renewable energy advisory experience, Schneider Electric is uniquely equipped to guide enterprises through the complexities of the new tax credit investment landscape.

• Cupertino, Calif. and HOUSTON, Feb. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cupertino Union School District (CUSD), in collaboration with ENGIE North America (ENGIE), today announced a sustainability infrastructure project aimed at reducing the CUSD’s carbon footprint while enhancing educational opportunities for students.
• The project includes the installation of 5.1 megawatts of solar photovoltaic, 72 level two electric vehicle charging stations, and the implementation of two emergency generators for backup at the District Office and maintenance yard.
• The anticipated net lifetime savings from the solar and EV charging infrastructure is more than $36 million dollars.
• ENGIE is proud to collaborate with Cupertino on this transformative journey.”

• NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The alternative fuels market size is expected to grow by USD 78.41 billion from 2022 to 2027, according to Technavio.
• The Alternative Fuels Market is witnessing a significant uptrend driven by the escalating adoption of eco-friendly fuel sources in the transportation sector.
• The global off-grid alternative fuels market is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period due to the Increasing emissions of GHGs.
• These strategic investments are poised to propel the growth of the alternative fuels market in the APAC region throughout the forecast period.