Western Sydney University Research Highlights Timelines for Onshore Wind and Solar Projects
Western Sydney University has conducted a comprehensive study, detailed in Energy Economics, analyzing the lead-times of 170 onshore wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Australia from 2000 to 2023.
Positive Trends in Lead-Times
The study indicates a positive trend in lead-times for onshore wind and solar projects, showcasing improvements in planning, approval, and construction. However, there is a noteworthy increase in commissioning lead-times, particularly in the final stages of solar projects.
Impact on 2030 Renewable Targets
Dr. Thomas Longden from the University’s Urban Transformations Research Centre emphasizes the impact of lead-times on achieving 2030 renewable targets. With approximately 70 months until 2030, accurate tracking of project timelines is crucial.
Closing Window for 2030 Targets
While solar projects take around 41 months to complete, onshore wind projects have historically taken longer, with recent projects averaging 53 months. The narrowing gap suggests a closing window for meeting the 2030 renewable energy targets.
Challenges and Recommendations
The study reveals an increase of up to 6 months or more in commissioning lead-times for solar projects, indicating a potential hurdle in project completion. Dr. Longden suggests improvements in administrative procedures, advocating for a ‘one-stop shop’ approach across all states and streamlined processes for assessing each step of the project.
Accurate lead-time tracking is crucial for understanding the contemporary renewable investment environment. The researchers recommend adopting practices like treating suitable projects as expansions of existing sites, potentially reducing lead-times. This approach has been successfully applied to recent projects, including those integrating battery installations as co-located assets.
In conclusion, while Australia has seen improvements in renewable energy project lead-times, ongoing efforts are needed to sustain these gains and ensure the timely realization of future renewable energy targets.
Source：miragenews.com
