The Queensland State Government has passed legislation that will remove Benchmark Retail Cost Indexes used by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to currently set prices. The legislation will see the QCA use a new pricing and tariff structure.

 

The reforms, which passed with bipartisan support, provide the legislative support for the work currently being done by the QCA to develop the new pricing system.

 

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said the reforms will aim at maintaining cost-effectiveness of the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme, which is now responsible for the production of 2000 megawatts.

 

“At the end of July 2011, approximately 107,000 Queensland households were participating in the Scheme, and eligible to receive 44c/kWh for surplus electricity fed into the electricity grid,” Mr Robertson said.