The Federal Department of the Environment and Energy is seeking our comment on the draft Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Exemptions and Other Measures) Regulations 2017.
A draft explanatory statement and draft compilation incorporating proposed amendments to exemption provisions are also available.
The amendment will make changes to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 with a new method for calculating exemptions based on the electricity used by emissions-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) activities. The purpose of these changes is to streamline administrative arrangements.
EITE activities are those industries who are constrained in their ability to pass on carbon costs due to international competition.
The proposed changes include:
- a new method for calculating 100% exemptions for EITE activities;
- removal of the 60-day limit to the installation of hot water systems;
- closing option for owners of solar (photovoltaic) systems with a capacity of 10 kW to 100 kW (inclusive) and that generate from 25 MWh to 250 MWh (inclusive) to opt out of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme and elect to participate in the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target scheme and create large-scale generation certificates;
- clarification of the requirements for determining whether an electricity grid meets or exceeds the 100 MW capacity threshold for liability, in accordance with subsection 31 (3) of the Act; and
- other minor and technical amendments to the Renewable Energy Target.
The Department encourages businesses undertaking EITE activities and RET scheme participants (liable entities) to make a submission by the closing date of 17 November 2017. Submissions should be emailed to RETEITE@environment.gov.au with a cover sheet attached.
