TABJ - July 13 - A spend of A$3.2 billion later, and Australia’s Federal government has set up the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA); the organisation set to bring together a range of different initiatives previously ran by all manner of other bodies.

“This is a reform the Clean Energy Council and its members have been calling for, to ensure targeted funding for early stage renewable energy technology. The establishment of this new independent body will also protect that funding from political interference, providing investors with greater certainty,” Kane Thornton, Director of Strategy of Australia's Clean Energy Council told press.

“New technologies such as geothermal, wave and large-scale solar have massive potential for Australia. Taking these technologies into mainstream use requires a stable and targeted funding commitment from government that will allow clean energy companies to also leverage investment from private investors.”

He also stated that the creation of ARENA should not impede the quick supply of funds for cheaper renewable energy generation, but facilitate its application for future growth in the sector for Australia.