Australian government delay on Renewable Energy Target is stifling projects
“This review started on 17 Feb 2014, and one year since that review commenced it really needs to be resolved so this project and other projects can proceed.”
“If you have a review every two years, and then it takes a year to undertake the review, there’s not much gap between one review and the other, so a key change that’s required in this legislation is to remove those two-yearly reviews.”
Wind farm owner calls for resolution one year after start of Renewable Energy Target review http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-18/wind-farm-owner-calls-for-resolution-12-months-on-from-start-of-/6141408 By Kerrin Thomas The new owner of an undeveloped wind farm on the Northern Tablelands says the Government’s review of the Renewable Energy Target has gone on for long enough.
It’s been 12 months since the review started, and under the current legislation the Target is reviewed every two years.
Goldwind Australia last year purchased the White Rock Wind Farm project, between Glen Innes and Inverell, and is working to prepare the Construction Environmental Management Plan, and the next round of community engagement will take place over the coming months.
The wind farm has development approval.
The company’s Managing Director John Titchen said industry uncertainty created by the review could impact the project, and the RET review needs to be finalised.
“The Australian Government’s Renewable Energy Target review can be resolved quite quickly, I believe,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of work done, the review is really complete, the Government needs to really come to their view and conclude any outcomes of that review and legislation.”Mr Titchen said the completion of the review will enable the industry to move forward.
“Really the key for us to be able to progress the [White Rock] project is the resolution of the review of the Renewable Energy Target,” he said.
“This review started on 17 Feb 2014, and one year since that review commenced it really needs to be resolved so this project and other projects can proceed.”
There are calls for the legislation to be altered to extend the time between reviews, and for the next review to not take place until 2020.
“One of the problems with the law is the two-yearly review, which really creates uncertainty,” Mr Titchen said.
“If you have a review every two years, and then it takes a year to undertake the review, there’s not much gap between one review and the other, so a key change that’s required in this legislation is to remove those two-yearly reviews.”
A spokesperson for the Environment Minister says talks have resumed with Labor on coming to an agreement on the Renewable Energy Target, with further meetings expected to take place soon.
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