Renewable Energy
Renewable energy technologies currently contribute about 6% of Australia's total energy supply and some 8% of Australia's electricity supply, with hydro-electricity by far the largest single contributor.
The Australian Government has announced a mandatory renewable energy target (MRET) to ensure that renewable energy obtains a 20% share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020. To ensure this, the government has committed that the MRET will increase from 9,500 gigawatt-hours to 45,000 gigawatt-hours by 2020. After 2020 the proposed ETS and improved efficiencies from innovation and in manufacture are expected to allow the MRET to be phased out by 2030.
Following the introduction of government Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets, more opportunities have opened up for renewable energies such as wind power, photovoltaics, and solar thermal technologies. The deployment of these technologies provides opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gases.
At the end of 2006, Australia had 817 megawatts (MW) of installed wind power capacity, mainly in South Australia. A 154 MW, A$420 million, solar photovoltaic power station is planned for Victoria. Initiatives are also being taken with ethanol fuel and geothermal energy exploration.
Read more about this topic: Mitigation Of Global Warming In Australia
Famous quotes containing the word energy:
“For infants and toddlers learning and living are the same thing. If they feel secure, treasured, loved, their own energy and curiosity will bring them new understanding and new skills.”
—Amy Laura Dombro (20th century)