Just 13% of Australians surveyed believe the nation’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) is set too high.
An Essential Research poll of 1,035 people conducted online from the 21st to 24th of February found a majority of respondents believe the RET level is just right or too low.
The Renewable Energy Target sets a goal of Australia sourcing at least 20% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020. This includes a target of 41,000 gigawatt-hours of large scale renewables-based generation in that year.
Responding to the question, “Do you think this target of 20% renewable energy by 2020 is too high, too low or about right?”; 13% stated it was too high, 25% said it was too low, 39% stated it was “about right” and 23% didn’t know.
As well as re-affirming support for the RET in the community; the results reveal there is still a large number of Australians who aren’t aware of the benefits of the Renewable Energy Target.
It was also recently determined that the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), a component of the RET; will have zero net cost impact on household power bills within the next couple of years.
In related news, the Australian Solar Council’s Save Solar campaign has received a major boost from Greenbank Environmental. The renewable energy certificate trader has pledged an additional $100,000 to the campaign, bringing the total to over $150,000. Council CEO John Grimes says additional donors have indicated a further $100,000 will be committed shortly.
As part of the campaign, the Australian Solar Council has also just released a new infographic summarising how solar creates jobs and saves money for all Australians. A previous infographic focused on the benefits of solar in regard to jobs.
The Federal Government triggered RET review sent shockwaves through the industry after the review panel members were announced; leading to accusations of a “hatchet job” about to occur on the RET that would seriously impede Australia’s journey toward a clean energy future and kill off thousands of jobs.
