The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA) has welcomed the draft recommendations of the Climate Change Authority’s (CCA) review of the Renewable Energy Target (RET). The draft report recommends the Large-Scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) remain a fixed target of 41,000 gigawatt hours.
SEA has also publically supported the CAA’s view that the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) should continue as a separate scheme and remain uncapped.
Both parties agree it is critical to maintain investor confidence in the Australian renewables market by not chopping and changing policy. SEA concurs further certainty for the industry would be provided through CCA’s recommendation that reviews take place every four years, instead of the current two-year cycle.
SEA chief executive Kirsten Rose said the renewable energy industry has been plagued by a number of poor federal and state government decisions that have led to boom/bust cycles and have failed to provide the conditions needed to grow the industry sustainably.
“Certainty and consistency in policy approaches using market mechanisms to stimulate the renewable energy market is the key to avoiding negative impacts on businesses,” Ms Rose said.
“Energy market reforms need to continue and expand, not be wound back.”
