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Australia to create $653 mln fund to expand photovoltaic panel production

Australia will set up an A$ 1 billion ($ 653 million) fund to assist broaden photovoltaic panel manufacturing at home, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on Thursday, as it aims to increase its transition to renewable energy from coal power.

Albanese's centre-left Labor government has actually been improving spending to finance brand-new wind, solar and battery jobs with more than A$ 40 billion of investment dedicated considering that concerning power in 2022. The federal government is targeting 82% eco-friendly power by 2030 in the energy grid from around 40% now.

Australia should not be the last link in a worldwide supply chain developed on an Australian development, Albanese said in a. statement.

We have every metal and critical mineral essential to be a. central gamer in the net no change, and a shown. performance history as a trustworthy energy manufacturer and exporter.

One in three Australian homes have installed roofing system solar. panels, the highest uptake worldwide, however just 1% of those. are manufactured in the country.

The effort will include production subsidies and grants,. and assist manufacture solar panels at the website of Australia's top. power producer AGL Energy's former coal-fired Liddell. Power Station, Albanese told ABC Radio.

The domestic manufacturing of panels will help prevent any. potential interruption to trade in the future, comparable to concerns. dealt with throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and it would support jobs as. coal-fired power stations retire, Albanese said.

There are other prepared closures in the future ... we. ( need to) look for opportunities that workers continue to be. employed in alternative, high-paying secure jobs, he said.

The Australian Renewable Resource Firm (ARENA) will help. with the style and shipment of the initiative. ARENA will look. at the entire supply chain from wafers and ingots to cells,. module assembly, and related parts, consisting of solar glass. and inverters.

(source: Reuters)