National renewable energy framework

Mandatory Renewable Energy Target

The Australian Government's renewable energy target places a legal liability on wholesale purchasers of electricity to proportionately contribute towards the generation of an additional 9,500GWh of renewable energy per year by 2010.

In place since 2001, the measure applies nationally and is administrated by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator.

In November 2007, a new Federal Labour Government was elected. The incoming Government has committed to a new expanded MRET that would see 20% of Australia's electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020. This policy would replace the existing Victorian and New South Wales renewable energy targets into a single national measure.

The MRET target would increase from the current 9,500 gigawatt hours to be achieved in 2010 to 45,000 gigwatt hours to be reached by 2020. The design of this new scheme is currently underway and it is expected to be finalised by the end of 2008.

GreenPower

GreenPower products sold by accredited electricity retailers are rigorously monitored under a National GreenPower Accreditation Program administered by government energy agencies in all states and territories. Sustainability Victoria represents Victoria on the National GreenPower Accreditation Steering Committee.