Australia is made for renewable energy - and that's our energy security advantage

The world is experiencing a fuel crisis, and Australians can feel it. Prices have risen and supply chains have tightened, while households, farmers and businesses are all exposed to events and decisions made thousands of kilometres away.

That vulnerability should give us pause, because Australia has something many countries don’t. We have abundant wind, plentiful sun, space to build - and regional communities already an active part of the solution.

The reality is renewable energy, like wind and sunshine, is made right here in Australia – and it doesn’t get more expensive during a global fuel crisis.

While renewable energy is about cutting emissions it’s also about strengthening energy security. Countries dependent on fossil fuels are more exposed to economic shocks, while those that invest in domestic renewable energy are more resilient. 

Australia imports the vast majority of its fuel. That means we are price‑takers in a global market we don’t control. No matter how efficient we are, we can’t “shop around” when supply is disrupted. 

Wind and solar are different. You can’t turn off the wind or the sun. They don’t need to be shipped or traded across borders. Once the infrastructure is built, it lasts for decades, and the ‘fuel’ is free - and Australian. 

We are blessed with some of the best wind resources on earth. Turbines can generate power day and night, often strongest in the evenings and winter months when electricity demand is high. 

When combined with solar and firmed with batteries and gas, renewables provide reliable, low‑cost power that reduces our dependence on expensive imported fuels. 

The evidence is clear. As more wind and solar comes into the system, wholesale electricity prices have fallen, easing pressure on households and businesses. 

For everyday households, its impacts are very real. The more houses with solar and batteries, the less they are impacted. Rural communities are amongst the highest up-takers of rooftop solar in NSW – because it makes sense economically. 

Australia doesn’t need to accept the risk of a global fuel crisis. We are uniquely positioned to build a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy system using resources that belong to all of us - our wind and our sun, with our regions at the heart of it.

At Squadron, our focus is on playing a leading role in building an Australian‑made energy system that delivers rapid decarbonisation and long‑term benefits to communities where projects are hosted. We already have around 2 gigawatts of renewable energy in operation or under construction, with a strong pipeline of onshore wind and firming projects. 

Wind, solar and battery projects bring construction jobs, ongoing operations roles, local procurement, upgraded roads, infrastructure and community investment. They also support broader infrastructure - transmission, storage, training facilities - helping regions diversify their economies and attract new industries. Done well, renewable energy strengthens regional Australia while protecting the landscapes we value. 

Here is the reality we’re facing - Australia’s energy future won’t be secured by one company or one sector acting alone. 

Let’s also look at our own backyard. Across Australia, demand for electricity is growing fast. Data centres, manufacturers, supermarkets, transport and retailers all need power that is reliable, affordable and available for the long term. 

Once built, renewable energy delivers Australian‑made power at a stable cost, year after year. That stability matters for balance sheets, long‑term planning and national resilience. 

The choice is simple - support Australian renewable energy now, or face higher costs, tighter supply and fewer options later. Energy security is a shared responsibility. Acting together, Australia is perfectly placed to deliver. The only question is how quickly we choose to act.