SA:SA to set carbon emissions limit

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2010
SA:SA to set carbon emissions limit

ADELAIDE, Dec 6 AAP - South Australia will set a carbon emissions limit for new electricity
production that will prevent the future construction of new coal-fired power plants in
the state.

The limit will be introduced as a transitional measure pending the introduction of
a national carbon policy, Premier Mike Rann said in a statement on Monday.

Consultations with industry and interest groups will begin early next year to set a
maximum carbon content for electricity generated from any new plant in SA.

"The starting point for that consultation will be a limit of 0.7 tonnes of CO2 for
each megawatt hour of electricity sent out from new generating plant," the premier said.

SA's energy circumstances are different from other states with only 34 per cent of
electricity generated by coal-fired power, less than half the national average, he said.

Gas accounts for almost half of the state's electricity generation, while 18 per cent
comes from wind power generation.

"By 2020, 33 per cent of our power will come from renewable energy," Mr Rann said.

The government recognised that its approach may have implications for specific projects
such as off-grid diesel projects as well as syngas and coal-to-liquids projects where
power generation can form part of a larger process, he said.

These cases will be considered in detail in the consultation process.

"The government intends to provide sufficient flexibility in its legislation to be
able to recognise and respond to unintended outcomes," he said.

"This will also take into account innovative approaches for managing carbon emissions
that are being planned by project developers."

AAP lk/pc

KEYWORD: CARBON SA

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