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The Australian Government has committed to generating 20% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

The new legislation, which comes into effect next year, will require that utilities have to purchase part of their power from renewables sources such as hydro, wind, solar and geothermal.

Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, says the requirement will mean a fourfold increase in renewables and could create more than AUS$20 billion worth of investment over the next ten years.

Meanwhile, the Government has also announced it is clamping down on insulation installers as part of its Homeowner Insulation Program.

Under the programme, the Government is supporting the ceiling insulation of hundreds of thousands of properties to improve their energy efficiency.

The new measures, which came into force earlier this week, will prohibit insulation companies from giving homeowners a quote without a site inspection, except in very remote areas. The number of field auditors will also be increased to check the standard of work being carried out.

A pricing guide will also be published, says Environment Minister Peter Garrett, with installers who charge higher rates automatically subject to Government scrutiny.

“The Government takes a very dim view of anyone abusing the ceiling insulation program and we will not hesitate to remove installers from the register if they are shown to be doing the wrong thing,” says Garrett.

To date, about 200,000 homes have been insulated under the programme with less than 500 complaints received, according to the Government. But Garrett says that every complaint is taken seriously.

“Our auditors are carrying out hundreds of roof inspections and we’re gearing up rapidly to reach 600 a week,” he adds.

The Government is writing to 20,000 householders a week to get feedback about the insulation scheme and is urging individuals to report any suspect practices.

For further information:
australia.gov.au
www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency