The green energy revolution is upon us

The renewables revolution is breathing new life into our farming sector. But where there are winners there are always losers.

Head out west of the Great Dividing Range, talk to farmers or townsfolk about what’s happening in their regions and the conversation will soon turn to wind and solar farms. That’s a theme I’ve noticed on trips to Mildura, Broken Hill, Mudgee, Parkes, Victoria’s north-east and Tasmania. As journalist Greg Bearup writes, billions of dollars being pumped into renewable projects are flowing through to farmers and landholders who are reaping significant windfalls from leasing part of their properties.

But where there are winners there are always losers, and deep divisions have opened up in some regions where residents don’t want solar panels up to their boundaries or are concerned about loss of agricultural land. There will be many bumps along the way but look at the projects on the boil and it’s clear the renewables revolution is well and truly upon us.