Australian Initiatives Promoting Renewable Energy Resources in Electricity Generation

Abstract

This article examines in detail the current initiatives offered by the Australian federal and state governments to promote the generation of electricity by renewable energy resources. Particular emphasis is given to the new mandatory renewable energy target, which is the major federal government initiative and likely to remain so in future in light of the government's unwillingness to ratify the Kyoto Protocol or to establish a national atmospheric emissions trading scheme. Selected criticisms are given of the various government initiatives.