ACT takes lead in switching to 'green' power

ACT Minister for Energy, Simon Corbell, announced the start of a new system making it easier for Canberrans to switch to GreenPower, stating: “From Wednesday 1 April, electricity suppliers in the ACT must first offer their GreenPower renewable energy product to all new or reconnecting electricity customers before any other product.

“This means that when [consumers] ring up an electricity supplier to connect, the first product they will offer will be sourced from accredited green energy, making it much easier for people to reduce their carbon emissions.”

Statistics from the National GreenPower Steering Committee show that in 2007, the ACT had 10,578 customers, which was almost double the level in 2004 of 5710, while the amount of GreenPower purchased in this time almost trebled from 30,222 to 91,994 MWh.

“This change in the GreenPower process for the ACT represents another action achieved under the ACT government's climate change strategy, Weathering the Change, and follows on from other initiatives underway to help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” Corbell continued. “On March 1, the ACT's generous electricity feed-in tariff began operation to encourage people to use renewable energy in their home or small business or organisation. This month we also saw the beginning of industry consultation on the territory's proposed solar farm which, when completed, will be capable of providing enough energy for 10,000 homes.”