Background

The Renewable Energy Target (RET) requires electricity retailers to purchase a specified amount of renewable energy (the target) from certified generators of renewable energy. Certified renewable energy generators, such as wind and solar farms, are issued with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for every unit of renewable energy they supply (measured in megawatt hours - MWh). These RECs are then sold to electricity retailers who in turn hand them to the renewable energy regulator as proof that they are meeting their obligations under the RET.

The problem

At present burning woodchips or other native forest biomass, is not a certified form of renewable energy under the RET. Electricity generated from burning native forest biomass is not eligible for RECs.

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) is seeking to have the regulation amended to add biomass from native forests as a certified form of renewable energy.

Including native biomass burning in the RET will cause a number of direct and indirect problems