This is the usual academic rubbish we see so often. The cost of renewables in Australia is very high as we must import wind turbines and solar panels. Then we have the very high cost of installation,....much higher than anywhere in the world.. Nothing matches the efficiency of gas or the ease of delivery. If the wind stops blowing and, or, the sun is blanketed out by clouds , gas will always be there. No politician with half a brain would risk statewide power blackouts, except maybe SA who are marching closer to communism every day.
If what the academics say was correct we would see much more investment in renewables but we don't . Renewables only stack up with Govt subsidies.
They may be comparing the cost of renewables overseas with the expensive local gas supply. This however, is an abboration and when the states allow more gas exploration we will see prices come down.
