The ACT Government has tabled its Electricity Feed In (Large Scale Renewable Energy Generation) Bill 2011 before territory parliament.

 

"This is the first time an Australian Government has proposed the use of a feed in tariff for commercial scale renewable energy generation," Territory Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development Simon Corbell said.

 

"The Bill establishes the framework for a feed in tariff ‘reverse auction' to award support for at least two large scale solar generation plants capable of powering 7000 Canberra homes.

 

The new legislation outlines a scheme to see renewable energy projects totalling up to 210 megawatts (MW) in capacity receiving support through a feed in tariff. Mr Corbell said a first release of 40MW of capacity for solar generation located within the Territory will commence following passage of the Bill.

 

"The first release under the Scheme will deliver enough clean energy to power around 7000 ACT households and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 850,000 tonnes over the life of the project as well as provide about 14% of the minimum electricity demand of the city," Mr Corbell said.

 

Further information will be available at http://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy