THE Commonwealth and states have taken another step towards unifying renewable energy targets, Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says.
After a meeting of climate change ministers today, Senator Wong said the governments would next consider a plan to implement the Renewable Energy Target by next year.
The national scheme is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases by ensuring 20 per cent of electricity is generated by renewable energy sources by 2020.
It will include a legislated target of 45,000 gigawatt-hours being produced by renewable energy in 2020.
Senator Wong said a nationally consistent target would stimulate much-needed investment in the clean energy industry.
"Bringing existing state-based targets into one national target provides consistency for investors looking to support Australia's renewable energy industry," she said.
Senator Wong said the working group of ministers would also recommend reviewing climate change measures in the states and territories in light of the federal government's plans to introduce an emissions trading system.
The group considered harmonising feed-in tariffs for solar and other renewable energy technologies.
Feed-in tariffs allow households to sell excess power generated by solar panels, for example, back to the grid at a premium rate.
