Dutton must end net-zero ‘cult’ and rescue our future

I say a loud “hear, hear” to David Pearl’s summation of the renewables wreckage (“Net-zero black hole a self-inflicted tariff against the nation”, 18/3). This article states clearly, item by item, the folly of pursuing a renewables-only course to energy supply.

Presumably, someone in Chris Bowen’s office will recognise the truth when they see it. Hopefully, someone in Peter Dutton’s office is also capable of seeing the absolute waste of taxpayer dollars being hurled at the pursuit of net zero.

Dutton should clearly differentiate the Liberal Party from the reckless track Australia is following with this fruitless, self-harming goal and support the refurbishment or reinstalment of reliable coal-fired power until the goal of nuclear power can be realised. Save our countryside from the hideous blight of windmills and solar panels, and allow our agriculture to thrive. He has an opportunity to take a winning stance.

Robin Southey, Port Fairy, Vic

I wish our federal politicians and all journalists cared as much about Australia as David Pearl.

He leads the throng, calling out the net-zero cult. He contrasts the futility of whingeing about Trump’s mild tariff cuts on Australia, when compared to the unforgivable fiscal self-harm of the nation clinging to net-zero mythology, and the colossal failure of Bowen’s renewables electricity delusion. It’s significant that the Prime Minister never gets a mention as the country struggles with these major election issues. The Opposition Leader must step forward to slay this dragon.

On this issue alone, let all leaders be judged: do the right rational thing for the country in terms of cost-benefit analysis and achievable transition time lines from fossil fuels to nuclear, with renewables continuing to make their unreliable contribution.

Betty Cockman, Dongara, WA

All politicians and political systems like to leave a legacy that future generations will remember them by.

The current government’s legacy will most likely be the dearest and most intermittent power system in the world, with all heavy industry relocated to China, farms and forests and seas desecrated by worn-out windmills and solar panels with no money to fix them, an economy in ruins unable to fund basic services like health and housing and transport, a huge migration rate outwards from our country, and no food or fuel or defence security.

Ian Brake, Mackay, Qld

The analysis and arguments put forward by Aidan Morrison (“Cheap renewables magic tricks reveal no ace up the sleeve”, 17/3) are a misunderstanding at play in Australian energy policy.

Nothing can change the fact that renewable energy backed up with energy storage, pumped hydro and a small amount of transitional gas is the lowest-cost form of electricity generation, both now and long into the future.

That’s also what the CSIRO tells us.

Extending coal, massively increasing gas generation, or utilising nuclear (when and if it arrives in 20 years) are all much more expensive options, no matter what wishful thinking or economic trickery their advocates might espouse. The article ignores the massive cost taxpayers and energy customers would wear to try and extend the life of old coal generators, costs that are exorbitant – up to $225m per annum in NSW to extend just one coal-fired power station for two years.

Further, the analysis is based on a single figure of $36 per MWh, which is only one of the 100 simulated wholesale costs that were modelled and makes some bizarre assumptions about the costs of the Capacity Investment Scheme that are completely out of line with the scale of the scheme and the commercial structures through which this capacity is brought to market. A lot of cherry-picking without credible analysis.

It’s common sense that relying on more expensive generation and burning significantly higher amounts of fuel each year to provide consumers with energy will result in higher power prices, as confirmed by global energy market experts Jacobs, through detailed modelling that shows it will be $450 more expensive every year for an average house by 2030 if we were to roll back renewables and wait for alternative options to keep the lights on.

Kane Thornton, CEO, Clean Energy Council