While electricity related carbon pollution in Australia is dropping and 3,000 MW of coal-fired generation is being switched off as a result of the combined impact of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) and the carbon tax, some Big Energy players and industry lobby groups are attempting to slow the development of renewables in Australia the groups say.
“For months now big power companies like Origin Energy have been trying to undermine our Renewable Energy Target. Now it’s time for everyone who loves renewable energy to fight back!” says 100 per cent Renewables; a non-profit group advocating renewable energy.
Together with the Australian Conservation Foundation, the group is asking people across Australia to express their views on how the RET should be working through an online survey that asks a number of related questions and only takes a couple of minutes to complete; with the option of providing additional commentary.
“We will bundle the results up and take them to RET Roundtable events to show the Climate Change Authority the depth of support for the RET in the wider community,” says Andrew Bray, 100 per cent Renewables’ Communications Director.
Submissions to the People’s RET Review are open until October 31, 2012.
A renewable energy target of at least 20 per cent by 2020 was established in 2009 with the support of all major political parties. The Climate Change Authority is currently reviewing the RET and will report its findings at the end of the year. Part of that process are the Roundtable events to be held in Sydney and Melbourne in early November.
Any changes to the Renewable Energy Target may erode investor confidence in clean energy in Australia. The fact a review is even being held is already contributing to uncertainty in the market according to industry sources; a situation exacerbated by some high profile and cashed up parties calling for cuts to the RET.
