The next stage of the ACT Government’s plan to make Canberra a leader in renewable energy has been announced.
The Government will soon run an EOI process to identify potential sites and systems to be part of a 50 megawatt solar technology innovation precinct in the Territory.
“Next generation renewable energy systems, incorporating energy storage, will address renewable energy intermittency issues and allow the retirement of ageing greenhouse gas intensive coal and gas power stations,” said Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, Simon Corbell.
While some other state governments (and the Federal government it would seem) appear hell-bent on hamstringing the solar sector of late; the ACT is a friendly face in what is becoming an increasingly hostile political environment.
Professor Iain MacGill from the Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets at the University of NSW said the ACT is really “punching above its weight” in terms of driving clean energy.
Recently the ACT also announced new legislation to support large scale renewable energy investment and a new program for community based solar investment.
“This Government is committed to supporting the achievement of 90% of the ACT’s electricity being sourced from renewables and a 40% reduction in Canberra’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020,” said Minister Corbell.
The Government intends starting the EOI process by mid 2014, with outcomes used to inform the design of future capacity release under the Electricity Feed-in (Large-scale Renewable Energy Generation) Act 2011.
As well as being a welcoming place for large projects, Canberra is also very small-scale solar friendly. Energy Matters’ Australian Solar Index shows the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) on a solar power system installed in Canberra is 10.9% – better than money in the bank and many other forms of investment.
A good quality 3kW solar power system installed in Canberra can return a financial benefit of up to $969 annually.
