Mandatory Renewable Energy Target Review
A review of the operation of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000

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About the MRET Review

MRET Review Panel Announced - Media release, 25 March 2003
Terms of Reference

Review background

The Mandatory Renewable Energy Target, which was established by the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 (the Act), commenced on 1 April 2001. The measure requires the generation of 9,500 gigawatt hours of extra renewable electricity per year by 2010, enough power to meet the residential electricity needs of four million people.

Section 162 of the Act requires the Minister for the Environment and Heritage to cause an independent review of the operation of the Act. Section 162 also sets out a range of issues that must be considered as part of the review including:

extent to which the Act has contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
extent to which the Act has encouraged additional generation of electricity generated from renewable energy sources;
mix of technologies that had resulted from the implementation of the Act; and level of the overall target and interim target.

On 29 November 2002, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp announced the commencement of preparations for the independent review of the operation of the Act. To assist in his determination of the scope of the review the Minister invited submissions from interested parties, including stakeholders in the renewable energy and the electricity sectors as well as environmental and community groups.

Around 80 submissions were received in response. The views of interested parties expressed in their submissions were taken into account in finalising the terms of reference for the MRET Review.

Related Information

The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator has been established to administer of the measure. Information on the measure, including registration and accreditation forms, fact sheets, the Act and the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001, is available on the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER) web site.

Additional information regarding greenhouse gas abatement and renewable energy can be found at the Australian Greenhouse Office web site.

Information regarding the Renewable Energy Action Agenda can be found at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources web site.

Acknowledgements

Home page photos by Arthur Mostead (1 & 2), Kate Morris (3) and Geoff Comfort (4).