Western Australian Energy Minister Peter Collier has announced that the state’s feed in tariff installation quota has been met and the program will be suspended for new connections.

 

Mr Collier said that both Synergy and Horizon Power will continue to buyback power generated from households.

 

The announcement by Mr Collier was savaged by Clean Energy Council’s Chief Executive Matthew Warren who expressed his disappointment that the solar industry was not consulted before the cancellation of the system.

 

"The solar industry continues to seek policy certainty so that it is not at the mercy of knee-jerk reactions," Mr Warren said. "West Australians have invested in the solar industry - both as consumers and in terms of new training, skills and jobs. The WA Government should not be turning back on this emerging industry."

 

WA’s tariff system originally saw system owners paid a premium rate of 40c per kilowatt hour for electricity exported to the mains grid. However, the new rate of 20c per hour was announced in May.

 

Professor Ray Wills, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Association (SEA), described the decision as untimely and short-sighted.

   
"Government has failed to consult with the industry on the ensuing changes, and this has made it very difficult for any business to plan effectively," said Professor Wills.

 

"The renewable energy industry continues to be plagued by government decisions that lead to boom/ bust cycles and fail to provide the conditions needed to grow the industry sustainably."