Government divided on whether to kill Renewable Energy Target or just mortally weaken it
The renewable energy industry has said preservation of the RET was crucial for the future of billions of dollars’ worth of investment in large-scale renewable energy projects.
The Clean Energy Council said the RET was encouraging households to invest in renewable and efficient energy.
Cabinet rift on RET: Hunt firm amid scrapping calls GRAHAM LLOYD THE AUSTRALIAN JANUARY 11, 2014 THE federal government is badly split on what to do about the mandatory renewable energy target, which has been blamed for rising electricity prices and making manufacturing Australian uncompetitive.
The terms of reference are being finalised for a review, which was expected to look at whether the RET should be reduced in line with falling demand for power……..
Mr Hunt said the review would be completed well before the end of the year.
The RET forces large power users and retailers to source a fixed amount of their energy demand from renewable sources.
Nationals senator Ron Boswell is pushing to have it scrapped……..
The renewable energy industry has said preservation of the RET was crucial for the future of billions of dollars’ worth of investment in large-scale renewable energy projects.
The Clean Energy Council said the RET was encouraging households to invest in renewable and efficient energy.
Analysis from the Clean Energy Regulator released this week showed that more than two million household systems had been installed across the country.
They include more than 1.15 million solar-power systems; almost 670,000 solar hot water systems; over 173,000 heat-pump water heaters; and a modest number of small wind turbines.
The RET scheme
The Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme is designed to ensure that 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.
There is a fixed target for large scale projects of 41 000 gigawatt hours (GWh) a year from 2020 to 2030.
There is no upper limit for small scale renewables such as rooftop solar.
The federal government has announced a review of the RET that is expected to consider reducing the fixed target in line with falling power demand, extending the time frame to meet the target or to scrap the scheme altogether.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/cabinet-rift-on-ret-hunt-firm-amid-scrapping-calls/story-e6frg6xf-1226799349909#
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