Page 3913 - Week 09 - Thursday, 25 August 2011
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as possible. Other potential bidders are less well advanced in their knowledge of local issues around the deployment of large-scale solar in the ACT but remain very interested in the opportunities that this approach may present.
The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate issued a briefing paper in July this year which outlined key aspects of the proposed solar auction process. In particular, it set out the structure of the proposed FIT, being a fixed revenue FIT, and some proposed features of the auction process. Feedback from industry indicated a very high level of interest in the auction and support for the policy as a whole. What this level of interest demonstrates is that the auction is going to be a very competitive process, which should mean that we get the lowest price the market can offer for large-scale solar.
There have been 18 responses received as part of the consultation process on the discussion paper, including 64 questions and 81 recommendations. This large volume of information from potential bidders is currently being assessed by my directorate with a view to publishing a set of common questions and answers on the directorate website in the near future. A transparent and competitive process will ensure that all bidders have access to the same data concerning available land and electricity network capacity. Bidders have also reinforced the directorate’s already announced intention to design an auction that awards a FIT to organisations that can and will execute a successful project.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, a supplementary?
MS PORTER: Would the minister outline the benefits for the ACT of encouraging deployment of large-scale solar generation in the territory?
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Porter for the question. As I indicated in answer to a previous question, the development of the sustainable energy policy includes a focus on the economic development opportunities associated with this shift towards renewable energy. Over the long term, large-scale distributed renewable energy generation has the potential to transform our energy supply system from one which is dependent on imports from fossil fuel generators to one driven by clean renewable energy produced within our city, our territory and our region.
In this context, large-scale solar generation offers a first step into the future with important lessons for policymakers, the industry and the community about how we can tackle the challenges of climate change and transform our energy systems.
Renewable energy also delivers direct environmental benefits. We estimate that there will be significant offsets in relation to greenhouse gas emissions as a result of these projects. But, significantly, it will also mean that the opportunity is there to create the intellectual capital in our city about how to deploy large-scale solar. That presents real economic opportunities into the future.
DR BOURKE: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Dr Bourke.
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