Renewable Energy Target Under Threat in Australia

The Australian Federal Government is conducting a review of the Renewable Energy Target (RET), with a particular focus on the level of the target and its impact on electricity prices. This presents a real risk to the industry and warrants a concerted effort to defend the policy at the heart of the clean energy sector.

The RET has generated 30,000 jobs

SMA Australia firmly believes the Renewable Energy Target should be maintained in its current form. The solar industry is one of the fasted growing sectors of small businesses in Australia, and with the support of federal and state governments, two million household clean energy systems such as solar panels and solar hot water systems have been installed. The RET has also generated some 30,000 jobs, and is forecast to generate 30,000 more if given the stable policy it needs.

Since 2001, the RET has delivered the deployment of over 14,000MW of renewable energy capacity, that in 2012 delivered over 13 per cent of the total electricity generated across Australia. The target has also contributed to $18.5 billion investment in renewable energy technologies and has helped lower the wholesale energy prices as much as $10MWh.

“The Renewable Energy Target is extremely important in delivering low cost future energy options for all Australians,” said Mark Twidell, Managing Director of SMA Australia. The RET develops employment in the areas where Australia needs it most. It supports rural, regional and urban areas that build new skills in a growing industry sector.”

Remaining government support for renewables under threat

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is the last remaining support for the solar industry and the current review could see government support for solar being slashed. The SRES helps businesses plan for steady growth and removing the scheme would have a devastating impact on the thousands of small businesses and their tens and thousands of employees around the country.

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC’s) are also under threat. The certificates encourage ‘distributed energy’ where power is produced close to the point of consumption, thus reducing the need for importing power and cutting system costs for households.

Stand up for renewable energy!

We are urging everyone in the solar industry to stand up for renewable energy in Australia. We are equipping SMA Australia staff and customers with knowledge and resources about the Renewable Energy Target and the possible implications of the review with the aim to tell their Members of Parliament the benefits of the RET.

For readers in Australia, we have put together an info pack, based on the resources provided by the Clean Energy Council, and template letters ready to send to local MPs. Some of you may want to meet your local MP, others may prefer to voice their concerns in writing, and so we have prepared a template letter for both cases. You can download these at the end of this page. Click here to identify your local MP.

More information

The Renewable Energy Target Review

Facts about the Renewable Energy Target