The Energy Minister says the government’s solar feed-in tariff scheme is expected to blow out by $60 million over the next four years.
The program subsidises the power bills of householders who have installed grid-connected solar panels.
It was cut last year after reaching its capacity target but over-ran the cut off date.
The Energy Minister Peter Collier says it is not yet known how much it will cost over the entire 10-year course of the program.
“I’ve got to say I’m at pains or I’m a little reluctant to provide a clear cut notion,” he said.
“It’s not because I don’t know because what you’ve got actually with the solar feed-in tariff scheme now, it has been a moving feast but we’re looking around the $60 million mark over forward estimates.
“We are continuing to address the solar scheme and we’ll have more to say in the future in terms of what will happen with the solar feed-in tariff scheme.”
Labor’s energy spokesman Bill Johnston says it is a major embarrassment and has called for Mr Collier to be sacked.
“It’s a demonstration of the chaos in the energy portfolio under this minister,” he said.
“He is incapable of running the energy system and Colin Barnett needs to act.”
