RET review could jeopardise thousands of renewables jobs

The federal government’s review of the Renewable Energy Target could jeopardise thousands of renewable energy sector jobs, the Australian Solar Council says.

“The government has said everything is on the table in reviewing the Renewable Energy Target. That means abolishing the Renewable Energy Target is on the table,” said John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council.

“Recent research shows 8000 jobs could be lost if the Renewable Energy Target is axed.

“Retrospectively cutting the RET is also on the table, and that will send a shiver down the spine of five million Australians with solar, the three million Australians who want solar in the next five years, and every renewable energy worker in the country.

“Some state governments have tried to retrospectively cut support for solar. The Australian Government needs to rule that out today and assure solar workers the Renewable Energy Target won’t be abolished.”

Those who work in the solar industry should be concerned about the review, Grimes said.

“The government says it is concerned about the impact of the Renewable Energy Target on power bills. The good news is the impact is very small, with the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme making up less than 2% of the power bill and even less once you factor in the reduced wholesale cost of electricity caused by five million Australians installing solar.

“If the government wants to reduce power bills, the best thing it can do is help Australians embrace solar. Five million Australians will tell the Prime Minister you can’t go wrong with solar. Our feedback from home owners is that solar cuts power bills by more than half. That option should be available for all Australians.

“Solar also does the heavy lifting for Australia during heatwaves and has been a key reason why we have avoided blackouts in recent weeks.”

The most recent comprehensive review of the Renewable Energy Target was conducted in December 2012.