Why Bjorn Lomborg must be silenced

hour (MWh) for solar technologies, $42 per MWh for wind and $18 per MWh for all other

renewable sources (including hydro).

"By comparison coal fired power received less than $1 per MWh and natural gas less than 1

cent per MWh delivered.

"In 2013/14, these renewable energy subsidies added between 3 to 9 per cent to the average

household bill and up to 20 per cent for some industrial users."

54% of CEFC funding goes to solar and windpower, well established and highly profitable technologies.

Oceania is an interesting case study in the efficacy of both technologies, demonstrating where energy subsidies usually end up. Most South Pacific islands are not part of an interconnected system – they must rely on local power networks.

The UN Climate Summit in 2014 announced their commitment to the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Lighthouses initiative, which aims to accelerate transition to a sustainable energy future. Over the next five years they will 'mobilise' $US500 million to 'deploy' 100MW of new solar PV, 20MW of new wind power, and significant quantities of small hydropower and geothermal energy, together with a number of marine technology projects.

I did not see a single solar panel or wind farm on a recent visit to the Marquesas Islands. Throughout Oceania 76% of generating capacity depends on fossil fuels. About 20% is hydro-electric, the remaining 4% is from renewable energy sources. The use of PV and wind power has proven to be unreliable and very expensive.

Almost all of the SIDS dollars will go to expand existing and proven technologies in medium to large interconnected markets, where they will generate profits for multinational energy companies and kudos for the IPCC. As in Australia most of the money will go to solar and wind power. Manufacturers of PV cells include Bosch, BP, DuPont, Mitsubishi, Panasonic and Sharp. China supplies about 80% of the market. GE, Hyundai, Samsung, Siemens and Subaru are some of the major manufacturers of wind turbines. They will be enthusiastic supporters of the IPCC and SIDS.

The development of small scale technologies for non-interconnected communities threatens the status quo, and will not receive the imprimatur of the IPCC or the multinational 'big end of town'.