As the world prepares to transform itself into a greener place, Australia is poised on the cusp of what is now only the beginning of an exciting period of expansion for the renewable energy industry, explains Warwick Ryan

Warwick Ryan, Director of KPMG Government Relations, is involved in helping develop business opportunities for solar power in Australia. He argues that Australia is on the verge of the renewable energy age.

“What we are seeing now is only the beginning of an exciting period of expansion for the renewable energy industry in Australia. Canberra is leading the way by providing incentives for its residents to ‘go solar’ and demonstrates that renewable energy can be a cost-effective alternative to conventional fossil fuel energy in the long term,” Ryan said.

Warwick Ryan
Director, KPMG Govt. Relations &
Co-President, AIBC Canberra Chapter

While Canberra is a small city by world standards, its population has also one of the highest medium incomes in Australia and has shown a preparedness to ‘go green’ on energy.  Warwick Ryan believes that the city's highly-educated and influential demographic has helped in fostering support for solar power in particular.

“Canberra also has a strategic advantage because it is our national capital, and is home to our brightest minds and our most influential policy makers.”

On top of the initiatives generated by government, Canberra's higher learning institutions are also leading the way in developing green power technology. Canberra's two universities - the Australian National University and the University of Canberra - house two of the largest research and development units for renewable energy in Australia, and the world.

“Canberra is a centre of excellence in Australia. Both, ANU and Canberra University have world-class renewable energy departments, which are helping our national capital lead the way toward a clean, green future,” Ryan added.

It is clear that Canberra has the potential to be used as a testing ground for the different advancements that are being made in renewable energy. The city provides a good model of how its own universities can be helped along by strong and forward-looking government policy.