Energy Minister backs down, heeds calls from solar consumers to save SRES
Wednesday, 24 October: As part of his energy announcements this week, Minister Angus Taylor has finally heeded calls from solar consumers led by Solar Citizens to rule out axing the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
‘This is a huge win for consumers around the country – saving the SRES will mean more Australians can enjoy the benefits of solar and lower their energy bills,’’ says Solar Citizens’ National Director Joseph Scales.
“The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme makes investing in rooftop solar affordable.
“The cost of rooftop solar would increase by approximately 30% by axing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.”
The ACCC gave a misguided recommendation to cut the SRES nine years early or even immediately.
Solar Citizens mobilised thousands of solar consumers to call on the Federal Government to rule this out:
- Nearly 10,000 signed our open letter to the Energy Minister (jointly with Smart Energy Council);
- Hundreds of constituents contacted their MP asking them to join our call to rule out axing the SRES; and,
- Numerous people wrote to their local papers and had letters to the editor published which explained the benefit of the SRES.
“Energy consumers are tired of being taken for a ride by electricity retailers, which is why Australians are installing solar at record rates so that they can take the power back into their own hands,” concludes Mr Scales.
The Abbott Government also backed down from cutting the SRES and the RET in 2015 when Solar Citizens delivered petitions with 28,000 signatures to the Government.
ENDS
Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425543006
