<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/for-first-nations-communities-energy-insecurity-is-not-new-but-the-shift-to-renewables-is-more-urgent-than-ever/>
"As global fuel prices surge amid devastating impacts on families and the
development of a humanitarian crisis through conflict in the Middle East, many
of us and our critical industries are feeling the pinch.
In remote First Nations communities primarily reliant on diesel power stations,
the steep price hikes are a reminder of a deeper, ongoing vulnerability.
With growing concerns about fuel shortages and the transport of goods and
services, remote communities are facing uncertainty about the reliability and
rationing of supply and significantly, the ongoing viability of diesel-reliant
essential services providing their power and drinking water.
The Northern Territory has over 70 remote communities supplied by diesel power
stations. Western Australia has more than 100, Queensland has 33, and dozens
are located in South Australia.
Many of those communities are already climate vulnerable – facing intense heat,
flooding and disruption caused by extreme weather events – whilst also dealing
with some of the most unreliable and expensive energy in Australia.
When fuel costs rise, everything rises. The cost of keeping lights on. The cost
of getting food into communities. The cost of running essential services. Even
with subsidies, electricity remains unaffordable for many households,
particularly when delivered through ‘prepayment’ systems placing additional
burden directly on those least able to pay, resulting in multiple
disconnections each year, often for days at a time.
For many families doing it tough, there is little buffer. Every price spike
stretches households further, exposing just how little resilience the current
system provides.
For remote communities, energy insecurity is not new. It is built into a global
system that relies on costly diesel – fuel shipped across the world, exposed to
global price shocks and conflict, and transported vast distances in challenging
conditions to remote areas.
Coupled with fuel price rises, this ongoing insecurity makes clear the urgent
need to transition remote communities to cheaper, cleaner, more reliable
energy."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
