19.06.2015, 14:42
Australian senators cast doubt on renewable target
OREANDA-NEWS. An Australian senate committee overseeing an inquiry into the wind power industry has recommended a series of potentially onerous measures that would make it challenging for the country to meet its 2020 renewable energy target (RET).
The RET requires 20pc of Australia's power generation to come from renewable sources by 2020. It is one of the government's main policies to achieve its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5pc by 2020 from 2000 levels.
The Senate Select Committee on Wind Turbines, which is dominated by senators who are openly hostile to wind energy, recommended the creation of an independent expert scientific committee on industrial sound to provide research and advice on the impact of wind turbine noise on human health.
The committee would establish a noise measure test that any new wind turbines would be required to pass. Existing wind farms would have to comply with the standards within five years. Wind farm operators that pass the test should fund the new scientific committee, the report said.
The government's main medical research body the National Health and Medical Research Council this year found no evidence that wind turbines directly affect health. But it called for further research, particularly on the effects within 1.5km of turbines.
The members of the senate committee hold the balance of power in the upper house of the Australian parliament and are key to passing legislation.
The conservative Liberal-National coalition government and the main opposition Labor party have agreed to cut the RET to 33,000GWh from 41,000GWh. But the legislation has yet to pass the senate, where some members want to place more restrictive conditions on the target. The political tussle has continued since prime minister Tony Abbot was elected in September 2013, stalling any investment in new wind farms that are the main energy source for the RET.
About 80pc of Australia's power generation comes from coal-fired plants. The country's electricity sector accounts for more than a third of Australia's GHG emissions.
The RET requires 20pc of Australia's power generation to come from renewable sources by 2020. It is one of the government's main policies to achieve its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5pc by 2020 from 2000 levels.
The Senate Select Committee on Wind Turbines, which is dominated by senators who are openly hostile to wind energy, recommended the creation of an independent expert scientific committee on industrial sound to provide research and advice on the impact of wind turbine noise on human health.
The committee would establish a noise measure test that any new wind turbines would be required to pass. Existing wind farms would have to comply with the standards within five years. Wind farm operators that pass the test should fund the new scientific committee, the report said.
The government's main medical research body the National Health and Medical Research Council this year found no evidence that wind turbines directly affect health. But it called for further research, particularly on the effects within 1.5km of turbines.
The members of the senate committee hold the balance of power in the upper house of the Australian parliament and are key to passing legislation.
The conservative Liberal-National coalition government and the main opposition Labor party have agreed to cut the RET to 33,000GWh from 41,000GWh. But the legislation has yet to pass the senate, where some members want to place more restrictive conditions on the target. The political tussle has continued since prime minister Tony Abbot was elected in September 2013, stalling any investment in new wind farms that are the main energy source for the RET.
About 80pc of Australia's power generation comes from coal-fired plants. The country's electricity sector accounts for more than a third of Australia's GHG emissions.
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