Victoria leads the way with VRET

Media Release: Auswind,
Tuesday 12 September 2006:

The introduction of the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) legislation into State Parliament marks a red-letter day for Australian efforts to tackle climate change.

At a time when pollution reduction programmes are accelerating worldwide and Australia risks being left behind in the development of low emission and zero emission energy production, the VRET is a big step in the right direction.

Auswind's CEO, Dominique La Fontaine, said VRET would help to ensure that the wind energy industry has a future in Victoria for at least the next decade and would guarantee that Victorians can get a significant portion of the electricity they use from clean energy technologies.

“The VRET is good news for our industry and good news for Victoria, as it guarantees clean, emission-free electricity as well as all the economic benefits that wind energy brings, particularly to regional areas,” said Ms La Fontaine.

“However it is particularly disappointing to see the Victorian Opposition promising to repeal this legislation if it wins office. In the absence of any other plans to promote clean energy this would be a short-sighted and irresponsible move which ignores the contribution wind energy already makes to the state’s economy.”

Ms. La Fontaine said the Federal government had pledged to support the wind energy industry, but its Victorian counterparts have a great deal of catching up to do on that score.

All clean energy sources require investment incentives. The VRET illustrates how governments can effectively promote renewable energy without negatively impacting on the state’s economy.

“This announcement sets an example for other states and the federal government to follow,” she said.

Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world and is already worth $1.7 billion to Australia, but without incentives to invest the industry will be overtaken by the rest of the world as it moves toward a clean energy future.