Good news: Australia on course to beat 2020 renewable energy target, says study

[pampango]

Australia is on course to surpass its renewable energy target by deriving 22.5% of its power from sources such as solar and wind by 2020, according to a new study.

The analysis of government agency data, by consultancy Green Energy Markets, forecast a long-term decline in fossil fuels, with the use of coal for electricity falling by a third over the next 20 years.

Brown coal, the most carbon dioxide-heavy of all coal varieties, is set to be phased out as an energy source completely by 2050, as is oil.

Meanwhile, renewables are set to grow from 13% of the energy mix to 51% by 2050, trumping the target of 20% by 2020 along the way.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/30/australia-2020-renewable-energy-target

If Australia can do it with their huge coal industry ...

[NYC_SKP]

1. "phased out as an energy source completely by 2050, as is oil"? Really?

Oil phased out?

Surely they mean as an fuel for electrical generation and not as a transportation fuel.

If would be impressive, but I don't think they mean that.

[pampango]

2. The wording is ambiguous but they must mean "oil as fuel for electrical generation".

If they can eliminate coal and oil as fuels used to generate electricity that will be quite an accomplishment. Oil (#1) and coal (#4) are among Australia's largest exports. As politically-influential industries, it would be a real achievement to eliminate them from the electricity-generation sector.

[SoCalDem]

3. As newer autos/trucks/trains are electric/rechargeable, why not?

If "power" is from the wind & the sun, why NOT eliminate dirty oil for transportation?

[NYC_SKP]

4. Not saying they shouldn't, not saying that at all.

I'm just saying that especially as vast as the continent is, it would seem unlikely that they'll be able (and willing) to get entirely of petroleum as an energy source, especially for transportation.

Of course they should and they can if they have the will.

As to being off petrol for electricity, well that ought not be so difficult.