Antinuclear

At the same time, the share of renewable energy in the National Electricity Market (NEM) has soared beyond 12 per cent and looks set to continue rising.

In its latest quarterly emissions outlook, energy and carbon research firm RepuTex found coal power made up 74.8 per cent of the NEM in the three months ended in March – its lowest point in 10 years.

Coal was at more than 85 per cent of the NEM four years ago, when wind made up just half a per cent of the overall mix.

Today, wind generation is at 3.8 per cent, hydro 8.7 per cent and gas at 12.7 per cent of the NEM.

“Renewables are basically cancelling out coal,” RepuTex executive director Hugh Grossman told AAP on Thursday.

As a result, Australia’s CO2 emissions were driven down to a 10-year low, he said……

RepuTex is predicting growth in new renewable energy projects will outstrip electricity demand.

The sector was trying to meet the Renewable Energy Target (RET), a bipartisan agreement to ensure 20 per cent of Australia’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2020.

Mr Grossman said what would happen if the carbon tax was repealed was not clear.

Last month, his firm reported that unwinding the carbon tax would have indirect consequences for incentives to invest in the renewable energy sector.http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/4/12/renewable-energy/australian-co2-emissions-hit-10-year-low