The draft envisages achieving the target of generating 20% energy from renewable resources by 2020, at zero public expenditure.
As per the 28 action items enlisted in the proposed draft, the state plans to increase its current 652GWh wind power to approximately 8000GWh, all from private investments.
Commenting on the action plan, NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher remarked that a strong renewable energy industry was vital to the state’s economy.
"We have heard loud and clear that people are fed up with soaring electricity prices, which is why consumers have been front of mind in developing this plan.
"Through this program we can get renewable energy and we can get it in a way that the community can afford to pay for it," said Hartcher.
Some of the action points in the draft include – better energy network connections to connect large-scale solar power projects to the grid; appointment of a dedicated renewable energy advocate to negotiate new renewable investments and facilitate connections to the power grid; review of wind farm planning guidelines; replacing the solar bonus scheme with solar panel rebates, etc.
The state currently generates 8% of its energy requirements from renewable sources.
