Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Senator, the advice I have is that the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator undertakes a desktop analysis of all statutory declarations provided for the creation of renewable energy certificates from heat pumps and has undertaken site visits of a sample of heat pump installations in line with its compliance framework. I am also advised by the department that the installation of commercial heat pumps has been reduced significantly since this requirement was introduced. In relation to the second part of the question, I would make the point that heat pumps were and have been eligible within the eligibility framework of the renewable energy target since its inception. That was the case under the previous government. As part of our election commitment, the government, at that point, did maintain eligibility requirements. It should be noted that heat pumps use renewable energy from the ambient atmosphere, particularly from the sun, by concentrating that heat. (Time expired)