ACT Feed-In Tariff Scheme Closes

ACT Tariff Scheme Closes

Acting Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Katy Gallagher, announced that the recently re-opened Feed-in Tariff scheme had been closed at midnight on 13 July 2011.

The ACT Feed-In tariff was re-opened on 12 July 2011 following amendments to the Electricity Feed-in (Renewal Energy Premium) Act 2008 by the ACT Greens and Liberals. The amendments combined the Micro and Medium Scale Generation capacity with a combined cap of 30 MW. That cap has now effectively been reached.

“The Government warned against re-opening the Scheme and cautioned that it would further overheat a volatile market and would provide no certainty of a continuing market to industry.

“The fact that the combined cap was reached within two days proves the point beyond any doubt.

“The Greens and the Liberals have simply created false hopes in the community and have manifestly failed to deliver the certainty to industry they claimed to be seeking,” said Ms Gallagher on the ACT Feed-In tariff.

The Government originally closed the Micro Generator (up to 30kW) category of the scheme on 31 May 2011 when it exceeded its statutory cap. In closing the category the Government made an undertaking that households who had entered into formal contracts in good faith up until that time could still access the Scheme so as not to be disadvantaged.

The closure of the ACT Feed-In tariff scheme last night enables this commitment to be met and eligible households still have until 29 July 2011 to lodge their Special Connection Application with ActewAGL Distribution .

This arrangement does not apply to the re-opened Scheme.

The Government advised at the re-opening of the scheme that there would be no capacity for over-subscription. Therefore no further applications can be accepted, even if a valid contract has been signed.

“The Greens and the Liberals have achieved nothing but chaos. The Government warned quite clearly that re-opening the scheme did not offer transition, rather simply offered another gallop towards a new cap.

“It has proven to be a very fast gallop that has not provided the ‘softer landing’ for local solar industry

promised by Mr Rattenbury.
“The whole episode has demonstrated the folly of making policy on the run,” said Ms Gallagher.

The Author

Darryn Van Hout

I developed an interest in the Australian energy and construction sectors more than a decade ago and have since closely followed the trends, technologies and developments shaping both industries. My involvement in the Australian solar market began in 2008, and over the years I have built strong connections with professionals, businesses and organisations across the construction, solar and renewable energy sectors in Australia and internationally. These connections include solar panel and inverter manufacturers, electrical and construction industry professionals, software developers creating tools to quote, monitor and manage solar power systems, and media organisations that closely follow developments across energy, construction and renewable technologies. Today, I continue to contribute as an industry advocate, author and commentator, sharing practical insights and information to help Australian consumers and businesses better understand solar power, energy technologies, construction-related developments and the changing Australian energy landscape.