‘Enough already’, is the message from the Tasmanian Government and Australian Workers Union concerning Australia’s Renewable Energy Target. It’s a sentiment that would be shared by many solar supporters and the industry itself.
February 17 marked a year of wrangling over the Renewable Energy Target, a situation that resulted in investment in large-scale renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms plummet 88 per cent; putting Australia behind some developing nations.
Yesterday, the Tasmanian Government demanded certainty from the Commonwealth, stating the ongoing issue hurt Tasmania more than the other states due to its reliance on hydroelectric power.
The Australian Workers Union has also repeated its calls for an immediate resolution, stating tens of thousands of jobs are at risk. The AWU has a special focus on the exemption of the aluminium industry under the RET and says an exemption has been agreed upon by both major parties.
So, is there light at the end of the tunnel given all the competing interests? Yes, but the more pessimistic might say it still remains to be seen if that will be an oncoming train for some sectors. One thing is certain, the Clean Energy Council is fighting hard for its members; wanting a target somewhere in the mid to high 30,000GWh range and Labor is supporting this stance.
On the weekend, Environment Minister Greg Hunt held discussions with the Clean Energy Council and the Australian Industry Group, saying ‘huge progress’ had been made. It’s understood the Federal Government wants the impasse resolved by Easter.
The Australian Industry Group is very conscious of the fact things have dragged on for far too long.
“I think what you’ve got now is a sense of urgency and a recognition that this needs to be done quickly if it’s to be done at all with any sort of reasonable outcome to give industry the certainty needs, so the time for sitting on the fence is pretty much over and this deal just needs to be done,” said chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, Innes Willox.
A strong Renewable Energy Target isn’t just about overseas investment, jobs or environmental benefits – it’s been shown the RET will reduce electricity prices. A 2013 report stated that even by that point in time, Australia’s rooftop solar power systems alone were saving between $300 million and $670 million each year in wholesale electricity costs.
