- Mandatory renewable energy target
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A mandatory renewable energy target is a government legislated requirement on electricity retailers to source specific proportions of total electricity sales from renewable energy sources according to a fixed timeframe. The additional cost is distributed across most customers by increases in other tariffs. The cost of this measure is therefore not funded by government budgets, except for costs of establishing and monitoring the scheme and any audit and enforcement actions.
At least 66 countries, including 27 EU countries have renewable energy policy targets of some type. The EU baseline target is 20% by 2020. While the USA does not have a national RET, 29 of its states do. Similarly Canada has 9 provincial RETs but no national target. Targets are typically for shares of electricity production, but some are defined as by primary energy supply, installed capacity or otherwise. While some targets are based on 2010-12, many are now for 2020 which ties in with the IPCC suggested greenhouse gas emission cuts of 25 to 40% by Annex I countries by 2020, although some are for 2025.[1]
Contents
Overview
See also: Renewable energy commercializationRenewable energy technologies are essential contributors to the energy supply portfolio, as they contribute to world energy security, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and provide opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gases.[2] The International Energy Agency has defined three generations of renewable energy technologies, reaching back over 100 years:
- First-generation technologies emerged from the industrial revolution at the end of the 19th century and include hydropower, biomass combustion, geothermal power and heat. These technologies are quite widely used.[2]
- Second-generation technologies include solar heating and cooling, wind power, modern forms of bioenergy, and solar photovoltaics. These are now entering markets as a result of research, development and demonstration (RD&D) investments since the 1980s. Initial investment was prompted by energy security concerns linked to the oil crises (1973 and 1979) of the 1970s but the enduring appeal of these technologies is due, at least in part, to environmental benefits.[2]
- Third-generation technologies are still under development and include advanced biomass gasification, biorefinery technologies, concentrating solar thermal power, hot-dry-rock geothermal power, and ocean energy.[2]
First-generation technologies are well established. However, second-generation technologies and third-generation technologies depend on further promotion by the public sector.[2] The introduction of mandatory renewable energy targets is one important way in which governments can encourage the wider use of renewables.
Renewable energy targets exist in at least 66 countries around the world, including the 27 European Union countries, 29 U.S. states, and 9 Canadian provinces. Most targets are for shares of electricity production, primary energy, and/or final energy for a future year. Most targets aim for the 2010–2012 timeframe, although an increasing number of targets aim for 2020, and there is now an EU-wide target of 20% of final energy by 2020, and a Chinese target of 15% of primary energy by 2020.[3]
Targets by country
Australia
See also: Energy policy of AustraliaIn 2001 the Australian Government introduced a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target of 9,500 GWh of new generation, with the scheme running until at least 2020.[4] This represents an increase of new renewable generation of about 4% of Australia's total electricity generation and a doubling of renewable generation from 1997 levels.
An Expanded Renewable Energy Target has been passed on 20 August 2009, to ensure that renewable energy obtains a 20% share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020. To ensure this the government has committed that the MRET will increase from 9,500 gigawatt-hours to 45,000 gigawatt-hours by 2020.The scheme lasts until 2030.[5] After 2020 the proposed Emissions Trading Scheme and improved efficiencies from innovation and in manufacture are expected to allow the MRET to be phased out by 2030.[citation needed] The target has been criticised as unambitious and ineffective in reducing Australia's fossil fuel dependency, as it does only apply to generated electricity, but not to the 77% of energy production exported, nor to energy sources which are not used for electricity generation, such as the oil used in transportation. Thus 20% renewable energy in electricity generation will represent less than 2% of total energy production in Australia.[6]
In May 2008 the Government's independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues, the Productivity Commission, claimed the MRET would drive up energy prices and would do nothing to cut greenhouse gas emissions.[7] The Productivity Commission submission to the climate change review, stated that energy generators have warned that big coal fired power stations are at of risk "crashing out of the system", and leaving huge supply gaps and price spikes if the transition is not carefully managed.[citation needed]. This forecast has been described as a joke because of the amount of compensation proposed to be paid under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (up to AUD 20 billion) and in Victoria, where the highest emitting power stations are located, the State Government has emergency powers enabling them to take over and run the generating assets.[8]
Computer modelling by the National Generators Forum has signalled the price on greenhouse emissions will need to rise from $20 a tonne in 2010 to $150 a tonne by 2050 if the Federal Government is to deliver its promised cuts. Generators of Australia's electricity warned of blackouts and power price spikes if the Federal Government moved too aggressively to put a price on greenhouse emissions.[9]
The Commonwealth and the states agreed in December 2007 at a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting to work together from 2008 to combine the disparate state schemes with the Commonwealth scheme into a single national scheme. The initial report on progress and an implementation plan are expected to be considered at a March 2008 COAG meeting with a final design to be presented for consideration at the September 2008 COAG meeting.[10][11]
The state of South Australia has set a target of 33% renewable energy by 2020.[12]
European Union
United States
As at July 2010, 30 US states and DC have established mandatory renewable energy targets, and a further 6 have voluntary targets.[13] The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 has set a target for 36 billion US gallons (140,000,000 m3) of biofuel produced annually by 2022. Of that, 21 billion US gallons (79,000,000 m3) shall be advanced biofuels (derived from feedstock other than corn starch). Of the 21 billion US gallons (79,000,000 m3), 16 billion shall come from cellulosic ethanol. The remaining 5 billion US gallons (19,000,000 m3) shall come from biomass-based diesel and other advanced biofuels.[14] For sources other than biofuels, The United States carries no mandatory renewable energy targets although they do support the growth of renewable energy industries with subsidies, feed-in tariffs, tax exemptions, and other financial support measures.[15]
Table of renewable energy and targets
Overview
Region Current Share Target Year Mandatory Notes World 18% EU-25 14% 21% 2020 Selected EU countries
Country Current Share % Target % Year Mandatory Notes Austria 62 78 2010 Belgium 2.8 6.0 2010 Czech Republic 4.2 8.0 2010 Denmark 26 29 2010 Finland 29 31.5 2010 France 10.9 21 2010 Germany 11.5 12.5 2010 Greece 13 20.1 2010 Hungary 4.4 3.6 2010 Ireland 10 13.2 2010 Italy 16 25 2010 Luxembourg 6.9 5.7 2010 Netherlands 8.2 9.0 2010 Poland 2.6 7.5 2010 Portugal 32 45 2010 Slovak Republic 14 31 2010 Spain 19 29.41 2010 Sweden 49 60 2010 United Kingdom 4.1 10 2010 Selected other countries
Country Current Share % Target % Year Mandatory Notes Argentina 1.3% 8% 2016 Australia 7.9% 20% (45,000 GWh New generation) 2020 Brazil 5% Canada 59% 90% (non-emitting sources) Chile [16] <1% 10% 2024 China 8% 15% 2020 Egypt 15% 20% 2020 India 4% Indonesia 4% 15% (inc. nuclear) 2025 Israel 0% 5% 2016 Japan 0.4% 1.63% 2014 Korea 6.08% 2020 Malaysia 0% 5% 2005 long-term target to be announced 2011 Mexico 16% 40% 2014 Morocco 10% 20% 2012 New Zealand 66% 90% 2025 Nigeria 7% 2025 Pakistan 10% 2015 The Philippines 100% increase from 2005 2015 Russia 4.5% 2020 Switzerland 52% Taiwan 6% 12% 2020 Thailand 7% 20% 2022 United States 9.2% Vietnam 5% 2020 See also
- REN21
- Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets
- Clean Energy Future Group
- Greenhouse Mafia
- Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy
- List of renewable energy topics by country
References
- ^ http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/renewables2007.pdf at page 22 retrieved 150508
- ^ a b c d e International Energy Agency (2007). Renewables in global energy supply: An IEA facts sheet (PDF) OECD, 34 pages.
- ^ REN21 (2008). Renewables 2007 Global Status Report (PDF) p. 7.
- ^ Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator: "Mandatory Renewable Energy Target" Feb 24, 2009
- ^ Australian Government: Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
- ^ Guy Pearse: Renewable Energy, in The Monthly, February 2011
- ^ Kevin Rudd's energy strategy 'flawed' says Productivity Commission "The Australian" May 23, 2008
- ^ Davidson, Kenneth (November 29, 2009). "Power giants crying foul? What a joke!". Fairfax Newspapers - Age, SMH, Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/politics/power-giants-crying-foul-what-a-joke-20091129-jyqx.html. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ Power producers warn on emission targets "The Australian" May 24, 2008
- ^ http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewabletarget/index.html accessed 10 May 2008
- ^ http://www.orer.gov.au/publications/pubs/mret-overview-feb08.pdf accessed 10 May 2008
- ^ Renewable Energy News, retrieved 2009-11-02
- ^ Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, http://www.dsireusa.org/
- ^ Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, P.L. 110-140
- ^ Renewables 2007 Global Status Report, http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/renewables2007.pdf
- ^ a b http://www.senado.cl/prontus_galeria_noticias/site/artic/20080122/pags/20080122105612.html Official Web Site of the Chilean Senate Chamber
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