{
  "id": 5404043,
  "title": "Australia needs renewable energy fast – but building it is only half the battle",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/australia-needs-renewable-energy-fast-but-building-it-is-only-half",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T20:09:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-renewable-energy-fast-but-building-it-is-only-half-the-battle-290066"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Australia urgently needs to transition to renewable energy as aging coal-fired power stations shut down and energy prices surge. While building more renewable energy projects and transmission lines is crucial, community opposition remains a significant hurdle, particularly in regional areas where most infrastructure must be installed. Local residents often protest against new transmission lines and block access to their property, fearing it will disrupt their livelihoods. However, our research suggests that this opposition is not binary – communities are not necessarily \"for\" or \"against\" renewable energy. Instead, support for such projects hinges on specific conditions. In our study, we examined three regional Western Australian communities – Busselton, Kojonup, and Albany – and analyzed online discussions about solar and wind projects in their areas. Concerns among local residents in Busselton, located on the state’s southwestern tip, primarily revolve around land use, property values, and the visual impact of renewable infrastructure. Some residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the consultation process, feeling it came too late or did not provide them with a genuine opportunity to influence outcomes. In Kojonup, situated inland from Perth, the focus shifted to practical concerns: job creation, financial benefits, and potential disruptions such as visual impacts and property devaluation. Landowners in this town received financial advantages, such as local investment opportunities, while others experienced diminished views due to visual disturbances. The port city of Albany, home to wind farms for over two decades, presents a contrasting scenario. The city’s wind farm supplies roughly 80% of the community’s annual electricity needs and draws around 200,000 visitors yearly. Community sentiment in Albany is largely positive, linking the wind farms to environmental benefits like reduced reliance on fossil fuels and enhanced regional identity. Although community attitudes may not always follow a straightforward pattern, our findings indicate that community support for renewable energy can evolve as projects advance. Drawing from international examples, we propose three strategies to foster community engagement and support: first, acknowledging that resistance to local projects does not equate to opposition to renewables in general; second, engaging communities early in the decision-making process, openly addressing their concerns, and incorporating their input; and third, providing transparent information regarding potential risks and benefits associated with renewable projects, ensuring clear communication and shared responsibility for any impacts. These approaches could help bridge the gap between renewable energy development and community acceptance, ultimately supporting Australia’s energy transition without sacrificing local interests.",
  "summary": "Regional communities often don’t oppose renewables, but want a say in where they go and who foots the bill.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}