Australia Sets Sights on 20% Renewable Energy by 2020

August 19, 2009

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While parties could not agree on Australian legislation to both adopt renewables and cut carbon emissions, there at least is consensus on the notion of becoming more reliant on renewables.

Australia, which is heavily reliant on coal, will aim for 20 percent of its energy needs to come from renewables by 2020, with the main political parties having fallen in line Aug. 19, reports the Associated Press.

The law would provide renewable energy to power the households of 21 million residents and matches the target laid out in 2007 by the European Union.

As of now, Australia generates 8 percent of its electricity from renewables, including hydroelectric power.

Just days ago, the Australian legislative body seemed far from a solution. Then, the parties decided to separate the renewable energy component from any sort of binding target on a carbon emissions cap.

Prior to the breakdown, Australia had been considering perhaps the world’s toughest carbon emissions law.

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Reader Comments

SUe the bastards for raising energy prices for no justifiable benefit.

John | August 19th, 2009

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