Keep RET plan, solar firm urges
A power company with plans to build a solar farm near Kalgoorlie says the renewable energy target must be left to encourage new low and zero-emission projects.
North American based Recurrent Energy is examining sites to develop a 50 megawatt solar farm in the Goldfields to farm WA's abundant sunshine. But uncertainty over the renewable energy target is delaying many clean energy projects.
The RET mandates 41,000 gigawatts of Australia's energy must come from renewable sources such as wind or solar by 2020 - commonly expressed as 20 per cent. However, there is a strong chance the 20 per cent mark could be overshot.
The Abbott Government has commissioned a review of the RET with some Liberal backbenchers and ministers blaming the target for higher power prices. ACIL Tasman modelling found that by 2021 bills will start to fall by $56 a year.
Preserving the RET received a boost this week with Clive Palmer declaring his party would not support any changes before the 2016 election.
