Page 1086 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 20 March 2013
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energy generation. The government has set out a number of clear and nation-leading mechanisms to drive the uptake of renewable energy generation. In particular, it is worth highlighting the government’s groundbreaking large-scale reverse auction feed-in tariff process, the first of its kind in Australia.
Last year I tabled an instrument in the Assembly for the first capacity release under the large-scale renewable energy generation legislation. This instrument provides for up to 40 megawatts of renewable energy generation to be supported by a competitive process and for the plants to be located here in the ACT.
The auction was keenly anticipated both within and outside Australia, particularly in view of the difficulties encountered by other government programs, such as the solar flagships initiative. Proponents were keen to participate in a large-scale project that was not reliant on a power purchase agreement and which could be completed in a relatively short period of time. This was clearly demonstrated by the overwhelming interest from the private sector in engaging with the ACT's mechanism. Forty-nine prequalification proposals were received in stage 1 of the auction, with 22 of those proceeding to the final stage 2 proposal in either a fast-track or regular stream.
Members would be aware by now, of course, that this policy is delivering results. In September last year I announced that FRV Royalla solar farm was the successful fast-track applicant for their proposed 20 megawatt solar farm to be located on rural land in the south of Canberra. This facility is due to be completed early next year and is expected to generate approximately 37,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy each year, enough to supply the electricity needs of some 4½ thousand Canberra homes. In addition, over half a million tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved in the 20-year life of the farm’s feed-in tariff entitlement.
This is just half of what we can expect once the full 40 megawatts are awarded in the auction around July this year, and it is exciting to realise just what might be achieved with 210 megawatts of renewable energy capacity in our region. It highlights this Labor government’s forward-thinking, progressive and environmentally sustainable approach.
Under the recently released action plan 2, the government’s greenhouse gas reduction action plan, we have set a target of 90 per cent of the territory’s electricity needs being sourced from renewable energy by 2020. To achieve this, and subject to a positive review of the solar auction later this year, the government has indicated our intention to extend the present 210 megawatt cap to 690 megawatts, which will open up exciting prospects for further developing the ACT as a clean economy hub for the region and a centre for renewable energy excellence. Action plan 2 shows that by using a feed-in tariff model we can achieve 90 per cent renewables and meet our emissions reductions targets whilst continuing to maintain the lowest electricity prices in the country.
The threat of climate change is clear, and a large inland city like Canberra in the centre of one of the most stressed parts of the Murray-Darling Basin must respond to the issues it faces in terms of its geographic location. We must tackle climate change
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