Weaknesses and reform of Australia's renewable electricity support

Australia has high, relative levels of electricity greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Renewable electricity (RElec) will play a key role in reducing them but, to date, the country�s main RElec support mechanism has not lifted its electricity market share, has given too much support to solar hot water heaters and wind, and has delivered volatile tradable certificate prices. Australia�s RElec support needs redesign if major reductions in its electricity GHG emissions are to be achieved. This should include: differing levels of RElec subsidisation, minimum tradable certificate prices and a more ambitious 2020 generation target.