Draft ACT Sustainable Energy policy released for public comment

Canberra could source 25% of its total power from renewable energy production by 2020 and ACT Government operations could be carbon neutral under a major new draft policy released for public comment by the Minister for Energy Simon Corbell.

“The Draft Sustainable Energy Policy 2010-2020 is an important policy framework for achieving emission reductions, which will play a pivotal role in meeting the government’s target of carbon neutrality by 2060,” Corbell said.

The draft policy contains an indicative list of potential policy outcomes to be achieved by 2020. Those impacting the electrical industry include:

• energy efficiency measures to reduce ACT greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10%;
• small-scale localised generation to reduce ACT greenhouse gas emissions by 5%;
• ACT Government operations to be carbon neutral, which will reduce ACT greenhouse gas emissions by up to 5%;
• renewable energy to account for at least 25% of all electricity consumption (with an interim target of 15% by 2012);
• energy supply to be secure, reliable and diverse; and
• ‘clean-job’ growth and industry development to be promoted in a diverse low-carbon economy.

“By achieving these outcomes we will be reducing energy consumption at home, at work and while we are travelling,” Corbell continued. “It will also further stimulate growth of Canberra's clean (low-carbon) economy, making Canberra an even more attractive destination for clean economy industries.

“The ACT government is already …diversifying energy supply through the feed-in tariff and the proposed solar power facility and sourcing increasing amounts of GreenPower for government.”

The draft policy can be downloaded from www.environment.act.gov.au/. Consultation closes 5 March 2010 and comments can be submitted by email to environment@act.gov.au or in writing to the Energy Policy team at GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.