Companies call for RET to stay

Forty small and medium businesses from around Australia have submitted an open letter to the government, urging it to retain the Renewable Energy Target (RET) and reject the recommendations of the recent review to shut down or severely reduce the target.

The companies note in their letter that Australia’s renewable energy industry “has now generated more than $10 billion worth of investment in large-scale renewable energy projects”. As renewable energy suppliers, the companies highlight the thousands of jobs which are employed by the industry - and which will be lost if the RET is cut.

“Our businesses build electrical infrastructure, roads and components for power stations in wind, solar, hydro and bioenergy, along with supplying safety equipment, cranes, trucks and cement,” the companies state.

“They provide catering, cleaning services, security, logistics and accommodation to construction teams, manage environmental and cultural heritage plans, and supply many other essential inputs to the renewable energy industry.

“While the industry directly employs 21,000 people, our companies collectively employ many thousands more as a result of the clean energy sector.”

The companies said Australia’s 68 wind farms, 49 large-scale solar projects, 139 bioenergy projects, 123 hydro projects and trial marine and geothermal projects had provided the incentive to grow and employ more workers - especially in “rural and regional areas where other job opportunities are scarce”.

“We have hired and trained workers and invested in our businesses on the basis of the development of renewable energy in Australia,” said the companies, noting analysis from ROAM Consulting which has shown that if the target is left to operate as legislated, a further $14.5 billion will be invested in large-scale renewable energy projects in Australia by 2020.

The companies also referred to analysis undertaken by ACIL Allen Consulting for the federal government, which found that the RET will keep retail electricity prices lower over the long term as it will help shield Australians from rising gas prices.

“We urge the federal government to recognise the broad benefits of the Renewable Energy Target to Australia,” the companies concluded.

The open letter is available here.