The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia is pleased with the Federal Government’s unequivocal endorsement of a largely unchanged Renewable Energy Target.
In response to a report from the Climate Change Authority (CCA), the Government has decided to maintain the highly effective scheme to ensure that at least 20% of Australia’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020. The Climate Change Authority had asked for both the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-Scale Renewable Energy Target of 41,000 gigawatt hours to remain in force.
SEA Chief Executive Kirsten Rose described the response as a positive outcome both for the industry, and as a mechanism to continue to reduce Australia’s emissions.
She said that renewable energy was nearing a tipping point in Australia with reducing costs, falling overall demand for electricity and growing investor confidence. The Government’s concurrence shows that it recognises the importance of policy stability, which will allow the sector to attract the level of investment necessary to meet the target.
The decision to maintain the current threshold for the SRES of 100kW and to continue monitoring and analysing the medium-scale market, was among the CCA recommendations endorsed by the Government.
Additionally, the move to review the scheme every four years (instead of every two) will allow the Sustainable Energy Association to work with major political parties, including the newly formed Western Australian State Government to drive meaningful change between reviews.
