Why not replace coal with renewable forms of energy?
Historically, renewable forms of energy like wind power and solar power have been too expensive and inconsistent in their output to compete with low-cost and constant electricity from brown coal. It costs more to produce the same amount of electricity from renewable energy than it does from coal and gas-fired power plants. For many forms of renewable energy, like large-scale solar plants, the technologies are still being developed and perfected. This combination reduces the incentive for private investors to put their money into renewable energy. Right now, governments need to step in to expand our renewable energy capacity. The Victorian Government has done this with funding to drive the development and commercialisation of renewable energy technologies. It has also implemented market measures to grow demand for renewable power. These steps are necessary to attract the long-term investment which will bring about lasting change in our future energy mix. However the renewable technologi
