South Australian Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis says the state could go it alone on a clean energy target if the measure isn't endorsed at a meeting with the federal government.
Mr Koutsantonis says SA is in discussions with other states about implementing their own clean energy target if federal inaction continues, as the nation's energy ministers meet in Brisbane on Friday to discuss the recommendations of Chief Scientist Alan Finkel.
"Every energy expert, industry group and major business have called for a market mechanism like the clean energy target to drive new private sector investment in the national electricity market," Mr Koutsantonis said on Thursday.
However, federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has dismissed the idea, saying the state's energy problems will be worse if it goes it alone.
"That does not make sense because one of the things Dr Finkel pointed out was to have a national approach," Mr Frydenberg told ABC radio.
The minister added that any discussion of a clean energy target was premature as the independent report prepared by Dr Finkel on the future of the electricity market, was only released a month ago.
"There have been lots of issues raised around the modelling of Finkel and we are not prepared to commit either way."
"I say to Tom and Jay Weatherill in your state of South Australia, you have conducted a big experiment that has raised a number of challenges and that is where the focus should be, in stabilising your own system, rather than trying to go it alone," Mr Frydenberg said.
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