New priority measures for renewable energy projects announced
Last week, the Premier and the Department of Planning announced additional incentives to boost investment in clean energy generation. In February this year, the NSW Government announced the creation of Renewable Energy Precincts in:
- New England Tablelands;
- Upper Hunter;
- Central Tablelands;
- NSW/ACT border area;
- South Coast; and
- Cooma/Monaro.
The additional measures announced this week include:
- A 4 month turn around in planning assessment – clean energy projects anywhere in the state qualifying as critical infrastructure, to be managed by the Department’s “go-to” people. To qualify as critical infrastructure, clean energy projects now need to only be at least 30MW, compared to 250MW previously;
- Financial incentives – critical infrastructure fees will be waived for projects of 30MW or more from August 2009 to 30 June 2011; and
- Better community partnerships – new dedicated environment staff are planned for each precinct to drive the clean energy agenda and work with the community.
The Premier stated that the Government is consulting with the sector to investigate further improvements to the process for future projects. Precinct Advisory Committees in each of the 6 precincts to provide the Government with advice. The Department of Environment and Climate Change will be responsible for these committees, which will include community members and local government representatives.
Review of extending eligibility for the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme
In June 2009, the NSW Government announced the details of its new Solar Bonus Scheme, set to commence on 1 January 2010. The Scheme is a net feed-in tariff model, proposing to pay owners of eligible solar photovoltaic systems 60c/kWh for any electricity they feed into the national grid. The Scheme applies to rooftop small-scale solar PV electricity customers (consuming less than 160MWh per annum) with systems up to 10kW in size.
The Government is currently inviting submissions on extending the eligibility to the Scheme to other small scale renewable energy technologies (such as micro-wind) and community owned solar farms. To assist in its review, information is requested from stakeholders relating to:
- the benefits and costs of including the stakeholder’s technology in the Scheme;
- the suitability of technology for small customers and appropriate eligibility criteria;
- the appropriateness of the Scheme tariff rate of 60c/kWh; and
- administrative and implementation issues.
Stakeholder information is sought by 28 August 2009.
For more information on the above, go to: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/climateChange/sbsbkg.htm.
If you need any assistance in relation to planning, construction or other aspects of renewable energy projects in NSW and other states, please contact Jane Robins or Ian Taylor.
