Energy giant backs more wind farms

Mid-Coast Observer
Wednesday 5/9/2007 Page: 10

WIND, solar and other forms of renewable energy should make up 20pc of power needs within 12 years if Australia wants to cut the carbon emissions causing climate change, according to the head of the energy giant AGL. AGL's chief executive, Paul Anthony, is calling on the Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd, to set a renewable energy target of 20pc by 2020, a far more ambitious goal than either side has agreed to so far. "Look at the rest of the world," Mr Anthony said. "You can't effectively have a carbon abatement scheme without a very, very strong national obligation for renewable energy." Mr Anthony's comments come as the major parties are examining targets for renewable energy in the leadup to the federal election.

For a decade, the Howard Government has resisted raising the mandatory national target for renewable energy above 2pc. Mr Anthony also criticised the Howard Government approach to a carbon emissions trading scheme, which is supposed to set a price on carbon from fossil fuels that are causing pollution. "The piecemeal disclosure of the Government's thinking worries us," he said.