New data reportedly showing the cost of NSW’s Solar Bonus Scheme has been overstated is a get out of jail card for Premier Barry O’Farrell, Greens MP John Kaye says.
The NSW government plans to cut the scheme’s feed-in tariff from 60 cents per kilowatt hour to 40 cents and close it off to new members, over fears of a $759 million budget blow-out.
But the move has sparked uproar among the scheme’s members and within the government’s own ranks, with upper house MP Catherine Cusack accusing Mr O’Farrell of betrayal.
New data reportedly showing the cost of NSW’s solar bonus scheme has been overstated is a get out of jail card for Premier Barry O’Farrell, Greens MP John Kaye says.
The NSW government plans to cut the scheme’s feed-in tariff from 60 cents per kilowatt hour to 40 cents and close it off to new members, over fears of a $759 million budget blow-out.
But the move has sparked uproar among the scheme’s members and within the government’s own ranks, with upper house MP Catherine Cusack accusing Mr O’Farrell of betrayal.
Dr Kaye said new data, reportedly presented to Energy Minister Chris Hartcher on Friday, gives the premier a chance to maintain the 60 cents payment.
The scheme can be returned to the black without punishing households that invested in renewable energy on the basis of “a legislated promise of 60 cents per kilowatt-hour for the electricity they produce”, Dr Kaye said in a statement.
“Premier O’Farrell does not need to slash bonus payments (to) 40 cents.”
Geoff Bragg, chairman of the NSW Solar Energies Industries Association, handed the new data to Mr Hartcher, Fairfax reported.
It shows the cost of the scheme, which is due to end in 2016, has been overstated by $230 million.