Solar scheme pushing up Qld power prices

QUEENSLANDERS will be paying an extra $240 on their annual power bills within three years to cover the costs of the state's Solar Bonus Scheme.

Modelling by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) shows that by 2015/16 almost 12 per cent of an average bill will go towards funding the scheme, to cope with its increasing popularity.

The scheme, introduced by the Bligh Labor government, pays solar powered households for the surplus electricity generated, which is exported to the Queensland electricity grid.

In July, the Liberal National Party government reduced the revenue new household customers could earn from their surplus, from 44 cents per kilowatt hour to eight cents per kilowatt hour.

Energy Minister Mark McArdle said that's brought down the projected cost of the scheme from $1.8 billion to $1.5 billion in 2028, when it's due to expire.

"This cost is passed through to all households in the form of higher network charges which just adds to the burden of this scheme," Mr McArdle said in a statement on Tuesday.

As of July, more than 198,000 households have solar panels, with Energex alone paying $13 million in September for the solar feed in tariff.

An Energex spokesman said that paying for the scheme cost $19 million in 2010/11, and rose to $74 million in 2011/12.

The company has applied to the Australian Energy Regulator to recover costs.

Despite the price hikes, Mr McArdle said the government has no intention of scrapping the Solar Bonus Scheme or the 44 cents feed-in tariff.

The QCA is developing a "fair and reasonable" feed-in tariff by early next year.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Solar scheme pushing up Qld power prices

Dengan url

http://tempatistirahatan.blogspot.com/2012/11/solar-scheme-pushing-up-qld-power-prices.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Solar scheme pushing up Qld power prices

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Solar scheme pushing up Qld power prices

sebagai sumbernya