The continued lack of investment in renewable energy continues to be frustrating to the industry, with none of the big energy retailers – AGL, Origin Energy or EnergyAustralia – writing power purchase agreements, despite renewable energy certificates surging to more than $64/MWh – a price that in theory should see wind farms, and may be some solar farms built. Gerry Maycock, the Chairman of AGL, said that although the company is aware that the need for a plan to decarbonise Australia's power generation is clear, it would require the introduction of a national plan that ﻿is supported by government policies that could take years to take e﻿ffect. Maycock also﻿ indicated that the company had enough base load coal to meet its requirements and that the﻿ profits from the company's﻿ ﻿coal-fired power stations were enough to continue to invest in renewables, but only when ﻿the investment climate for new technology and energy storage products improved. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has also released an update on their current outlook regarding renewable energy.
Gerry Maycock, the Chairman of AGL, said that although the company is aware that the need for a plan to decarbonise Australia's power generation is clear, it would require the introduction of a national plan that ﻿is supported by government policies that could take years to take e﻿ffect. Maycock also﻿ indicated that the company had enough base load coal to meet its requirements and that the﻿ profits from the company's﻿ ﻿coal-fired power stations were enough to continue to invest in renewables, but only when ﻿the investment climate for new technology and energy storage products improved. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has also released an update on their current outlook regarding renewable energy.