Watch this video . It uses Texas as an example . While the Australian situation will be slightly different , the principle is the same .
Remember , right now we only have a relatively small renewable energy supply even though it is supplying about 14% of Australia's energy . Obviously that has to get much bigger to put a serious dent into coal . The Australian coal generating fleet is getting old ( average is over 30 years ) and therefore will need to be replaced anway over the next couple of decades .
Why would you spend that money ( which needs to be spent ) on coal when you could spend it on renewables . Renewables are already matching coal on price now without taking into account the future reduction in renewable power price and the future increase in fossil fuel price , let alone the emissions and legacy issues .
Money has to be spent on the power system regardless .
We've got the technology . We've got the time . Our fossil fleet is good enough to get us there . There is no emergency yet . We appear to now have a national plan ( NEG ) with all the states pretty much on board . Why wouldn't you start replacing our generating capacity now when you can do it progressively , adjusting it as needs change and technology improves ?
