Ena Welcomes Passage Of Renewable Energy Target

ENA Welcomes Passage of Renewable Energy Target

20 August 2009

As the peak national body representing Australia's electricity distribution and transmission networks the Energy Network Association (ENA) welcomes the recent passage of the Government's Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2009 and the Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Charge) Amendment Bill 2009.

The Renewable Energy Target will ensure that 20 per cent of Australia's electricity will come from renewable sources by 2020. ENA supports the Australian Government's commitment to continue increasing the amount of energy generated from renewable sources. ENA believes it is important to recognise that networks will play a key role in ensuring that this new energy source is delivered to homes and businesses across Australia.

'The electricity industry is poised to make the transformation from a centralised, producer-controlled network to one that is less centralised and more consumer-interactive', Mr Andrew Blyth, CEO of ENA said today.

'Australia's adoption of a Renewable Energy Target reinforces the need for the further development and implementation of smart networks. The move to a smarter network promises to change the industry's business model and its relationship with all stakeholders, involving and affecting utilities, regulators, energy service providers, technology and automation vendors and all consumers of electric power.

'Energy network businesses will play a key facilitating role in providing the homes and businesses of Australia with cleaner, greener energy as well as the ability to maximise efficient energy use. Delivering these outcomes involves a merging of the existing electricity network infrastructureupgraded with sensing, monitoring and management deviceswith a secure, robust, and reliable communications infrastructure, supported by relevant information technologies, resulting in two-way exchanges of energy and information.

'However, implementing these significant changes to existing infrastructure and business operations presents a number of key challenges for energy network businesses. The current regulatory framework needs to ensure appropriate commercial returns for network investment and to encourage further research and development into smart network technology. Energy storage, telecommunications security, technology standards and workforce training and education are also key challenges for ENA members in moving towards Smart Networks', said Mr Blyth.

ENA is committed to continue working with its members to optimise the benefits that smart networks have to offer and to overcome any challenges that may impede progress.

Contact: Andrew Blyth
CEO 02-6272-1555

ENA is the peak national body for Australia's energy networks; and represents gas distribution and electricity network businesses on economic, technical, environment and safety regulation as well as national energy policy issues.


SOURCE: Energy Networks Association