“After weeks of behind the scenes lobbying by the CEC, common sense has prevailed and the Coalition party room has ignored the ill-considered and unjustified proposal to abolish or change the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
This is a win for rooftop solar.
Recent media reports had speculated that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) recommendation that the SRES be prematurely abolished would be part of today’s negotiations in relation to the National Energy Guarantee.
The CEC has strongly opposed any changes to the SRES, voicing its opposition to the Chair of the ACCC Rod Sims, Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, the federal Opposition and state energy ministers.
With rooftop solar one of the few direct ways that households and businesses can reduce their power bills, the government clearly recognised the popularity of rooftop solar amongst voters and the strength of our industry.
The ACCC’s recommendation to change the SRES may arise again as discussions over energy policy continue in the coming months. The CEC will remain vigilant in such a volatile political environment to ensure continued strong and sensible support for the solar industry.”
Kane Thornton
Chief Executive, Clean Energy Council
