September 2012
26 September 2012
The Clean Energy Council welcomes Victoria's move to empower consumers
The Clean Energy Council welcomed a Victorian Government announcement today that Victorian households will have access to flexible pricing plans for electricity from the middle of 2013.
The Clean Energy Council’s Chief Executive David Green said the move would give Victorians more freedom of choice over their energy options and could enable the use of new appliances and devices to help households take control of their power usage and bills.
20 September 2012
Energy market reform the cure for power price pain
Rising electricity prices are hitting Australian households hard and energy efficiency and energy market reform is the key to easing the power price pain, according to the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
In a submission to the Senate Select Committee on Electricity Prices, the CEC states the rules that underpin how the electricity industry delivers power to consumers do not adequately reflect the needs of consumers or the changing needs of our energy system.
18 September 2012
Renewable energy target is key to US$257 billion global market
Australia needs to maintain its 20 per cent by 2020 Renewable Energy Target in order to fully capitalise on a global market now worth US$257 billion, according to Christine Lins, Executive Secretary of REN21.
In a speech to the Australian National Conference on Resources and Energy in Canberra tomorrow, Ms Lins will state that more than 20 per cent of global electricity came from clean energy in 2011, and approximately 120 countries had a renewable energy target in place at the beginning of 2012.
18 September 2012
Queensland Competition Authority proposal could dim the sunshine state
A proposal from the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to move to a gross feed-in tariff scheme for rooftop solar power would rob Queenslanders of the opportunity to save money by generating their own electricity, according to the Clean Energy Council.
Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the QCA was conducting a review to estimate a “fair and reasonable” solar feed-in tariff for Queensland, but what it has proposed is anything but fair or reasonable to households and businesses.
13 September 2012
Energy efficiency minimum standards a win for consumers
The availability of low quality, energy-intensive appliances imported from overseas will be reduced under new legislation passed through the Federal Senate today, in a move applauded by the Clean Energy Council.
Clean Energy Council Chief Executive David Green said the Greenhouse Energy Minimum Standards legislation would help protect households from power price pain by increasing the energy efficiency levels of new appliances and streamlining the energy star rating labelling system across Australia.
12 September 2012
Clean energy industry calls for investment stability
Australia’s clean energy industry today called for the Federal Government to ensure the 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target remains unchanged in order to retain its investment-grade stability and drive job creation along with lower costs for consumers.
The Federal Government’s Climate Change Authority is currently undertaking a review of the target, to source 20 per cent of Australia’s energy from renewable sources by 2020. Submissions in response to an initial issues paper are due on Friday.
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7 September 2012
Renewable Energy Action Plan a boost for regional NSW
The Renewable Energy Action Plan released by the New South Wales Government today shows the potential of clean energy as a driver of jobs and investment throughout the state, according to the Clean Energy Council.
Clean Energy Council Deputy Chief Executive Kane Thornton said renewable energy projects could help to deliver a much-needed injection into the regional economies of states such as New South Wales.
6 September 2012
AEMC report key to unlocking real relief on power bills
The Clean Energy Council today welcomed proposals from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) which could start rewarding Australians for becoming their own energy manager.
“Everyone knows household budgets are tight, and the changes outlined could enable consumers to make smart choices about how they use their energy - and get rewarded for doing so,” said Clean Energy Council Chief Executive David Green.
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6 September 2012
South Australia blown away by wind power this week
South Australia’s blustery conditions this week had one positive: wind power provided the equivalent of more than half of the state’s power on Wednesday, according to the Clean Energy Council.
Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said data from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) showed that the equivalent of 55 per cent of all the electricity used by South Australians yesterday was generated by the state’s wind farms, which were spinning flat out all day long.
5 September 2012
Queensland misses the target on energy prices
The Clean Energy Council has called for more collaboration to reduce electricity prices and less finger-pointing, following Energy Minister Mark McArdle’s attack on Australia’s 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target this morning.
Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said everyone was concerned about rising power bills, but ditching the Renewable Energy Target would be like cutting off our nose to spite our face.
3 September 2012
Industry to ride “solar-coaster” as Victorian Government cuts support
The solar industry is bracing itself for yet another boom-bust cycle following today’s decision by the Baillieu Government to slash the incentive for Victorians to purchase solar power systems, according to the Clean Energy Council.
Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the national solar industry had seen so many ups and downs due to government policy changes that it had coined its own phrase – the “solar-coaster”.
