First Year Renewable Electricity Targets
10 January 2002
Media release
The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator today released information on the first year of certificate creation under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act which shows the renewable energy sector has created more than enough certificates to meet the renewable energy target for 2001 if they were all surrendered.
"Over one hundred and twenty renewable energy power stations have been accredited under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000", the Renewable Energy Regulator, Mr David Rossiter explained.
"Since April 2001 these power plants have been generating additional renewable energy. This environmentally friendly energy enables these power plants to create Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and earn extra money for each megawatt hour of energy they create.
"Over 600,000 RECs were created last year providing more than enough certificates to cover 2001's target of 300,000 RECs and providing a head start for 2002's larger target of 1.1 million RECs.
"This is a wonderful achievement by the renewable energy industry which has reacted swiftly to the opportunity created only a year ago by the passage of the enabling legislation.
"An extraordinary array of power plants have emerged to meet this new market for renewable energy. They range from stations using hydro and sugar cane through wind and solar to sewage gas and waste chip fat. And we hear of more project proposals using wave power, chicken litter, wastes from weed control operations and even massive solar chimneys.
By 14 February 2002 those who are liable under the Act will need to surrender year 2001 RECs to the Regulator. Anyone making a 'relevant acquisition' of electricity as defined under the Act is liable to surrender certificates. The legislation is available on the ORER's web site at www.orer.gov.au.
"Typically liable entities are wholesale purchasers of electricity but under some circumstances a generator of electricity may become a liable entity. All persons who generate or deal in wholesaling or retailing of electricity should check their liability under the Act".
As part of the ongoing operation of the Regulations some draft administrative amendments to the Regulations have been displayed for public comment. The amendments can be accessed via the ORER web site and submissions close on 7 February 2002. Amongst other matters the draft amendments cover additional solar water heater models, the renewable power percentage for 2002 and extension of the grace period for solar water heaters to meet the Australian Standard AS2712.
Media contact: David Rossiter 02 6274 2192
Further details on accredited power plants, applications and certificates are accessible at www.rec-registry.com , in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
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