Renewable energy in Australia: 20 per cent by 2020: Can this be achieved?

Abstract

Purpose

The Australian Government has proposed a portfolio standard requiring 20 per cent of electricity to be supplied by renewable energy. It has introduced a number of policy measures to drive this target; however based on the resources and commercially available technology is this enough? This paper aims to look at the application of both Federal and State measures and to determine whether this will drive the deployment of technology at the rate required to meet the targets set.

Design/methodology/approach

Research and modelling was undertaken on the anticipated generation technologies (based on proposed policy measures and commercial availability of the technology), which indicate a shortfall in renewable generation by 2018.

Findings

The findings indicate that additional policy measures will be required to meet the objectives set. These measures will need to be introduced at a State level where the policy measure can target those renewable resources in which the State has both an economic and abundant supply.

Practical implications

Within any country (particularly one the size of Australia) different regions will have different renewable resources and policy will need to target those resources in which the region has an abundant and economically viable supply.

Originality/value

Currently all discussion in relation to policy measures to combat global warming issues within Australia has been focused at the Federal level. The paper highlights the need to focus policy at State level when looking at deploying technology at specific renewable resources.

Citation

Froome, C. (2010), "Renewable energy in Australia: 20 per cent by 2020: Can this be achieved?", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 177-186. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777831011025526