Courier Mail
Tuesday 7/4/2009 Page: 3
AN election promise to provide 200,000 Queensland households with cut-price solar hot water systems will be fast tracked by the Bligh Government following concerns further delays could threaten jobs. But the move failed to appease the solar industry which yesterday described the plan as "bad policy" and said they would be expected to cut their profits to the bone.
Premier Anna Bligh yesterday announced Queenslanders who wanted to apply for the systems would be able to register their interest from today, while the tender process will open next Wednesday to find local manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and installers. Up to 40,000 solar systems will be rolled out this year at a guaranteed price of $500 for households and $100 for pensioners.
Installations are scheduled to begin from July under a plan to cut household energy use by one-third. The tender was not expected to start until mid-year but the industry had expressed concerns that a decline in orders was hurting their businesses as consumers waited for the cheaper systems to become available.
"We know that when a government intervenes with a program like this it can have an affect on the industry and we want to resolve that as quickly as possible," Ms Bligh said. "What were doing by bringing the expression of interest and tender process forward, is giving industry some certainty sooner, so industry will know what slice of the pie they've got long before July."
Ms Bligh said she hoped Queensland businesses would get the lion's share of the work. "We're not looking for one single supplier ... we're looking to spread this business across the state and ensure that as many Queensland companies get a slice of this pie as possible." Industry representatives met with Energy Minister Stephen Robertson and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones on Friday to voice their concerns about the scheme and said their fears were not allayed yesterday.
Matthew Warren, chief executive of the Clean Energy Council which represents the renewable energy industry, said the plan relied on manufacturers and suppliers cutting their profit margins to close to nothing. "We certainly support the intention, but this is not the way to do it," he said.
Those interested in the program can call 1800 243 585 or visit www.cleanenergy.gld.gov.au
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