Presented by Energy Matters team member Virginia, we take a look at some of the stories from Australia and around the world recently added to our renewable energy news section.
In this episode, Virginia covers stories relating to Australia’s recent carbon tax announcement and a spotlight on El Hierro, a small Spanish island breaking free of its addiction to fossil fuels for electricity generation.
In this episode:
– Details of Australia’s carbon pricing scheme have been announced. Australia’s 500 largest carbon emission polluters, each responsible for over 25,000 tonnes of emissions annually, will be required to pay an initial $23 a tonne from July next year. Managed by a new independent body, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, $10 billion of revenue generated by the carbon tax is to be invested into renewable energy. The Australian Solar Energy Society says that big solar is a winner after the announcement. Read more.
– The Clean Energy Council says the Federal Government’s carbon tax is an opportunity for Australia to boost renewable energy and the transition to a low carbon economy. The Council says that the carbon tax will turbo-charge the clean energy sector in an industry let down by successive governments in Australia.. Read more.
– While the boost to large scale solar is welcome, additional support for small and medium scale solar energy seems to have been overlooked in the Carbon Tax plans. Energy Matters’ CEO Jeremy Rich says that better utilization of rooftops can make a substantial contribution in slashing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Read more.
– El Hierro, a small Spanish island is breaking free of fossil fuels by using solar and wind power to supply all its electricity needs. Read more.
