Dietmar Tourbier & Peter McTaggart
As Australia moves towards a net-zero emissions energy future, debates continue about the right pathway, technologies, costs, electricity prices, and the role of regions. A 2024 CSIRO survey of over 6,700 Australians found most support a shift to renewables. Of three possible futures, 87% preferred moderate to high change. While opinions varied on speed, nearly half (47%) favored a moderate pace, while 40% supported faster change. Despite strong interest, many Australians reported limited knowledge of large-scale renewable projects like solar farms, wind farms, and transmission lines. Communities want clear, transparent information about these developments, their benefits, and potential drawbacks, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to support during the energy transition.
Dr Dietmar Tourbier is the Director of Energy at the CSIRO. He is leading a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, economists, and business professionals in solving current and future energy challenges to enable the transition to lower emissions energy future.