Quote
“Then of course there has been considerable upgrading to meet the excess load of handling the surging nature of wind power.”

In terms of surges wind power is not a big problem, because gusts are taken care of automatically and average wind strength varies relatively slowly over time. However if you study the link I gave above you would see that peak power demands have fallen, which is what actually dictates how robust the power networks have to be. One reason for this is that solar and wind particularly in the southern states, often peak at the same time as most people are running their air conditioners at full blast.

As regards the hidden costs associated with environmental charges you can clearly see from the chart below that it is not a significant factor. (Note the carbon tax is no longer relevant)

http://reneweconomy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/solar-ret-aemc-590x403.jpg

Warmair,

https://retreview.dpmc.gov.au/312-impacts-electricity-prices

The contribution of the RET is presently about 4% of energy costs which corresponds neatly to its influence on renewable generation of 4% (5% to 9%) over the last 6 years or so. However, given the target today of 28% by 2020, the next 5 years would see the additional 19% renewable generation requirement boost electricity prices more than double what the carbon tax would.

The damage to industry and employment would be massive.

Shadow
I can see no reason to think that the RET scheme will add anymore to electricity bills than the 4% quoted in your link for the simple reason that the subsidies are being wound back and the take up of solar is still continuing. All the data I have seen says that the total cost of the RET on our bills will decrease even if we go for the top figure of 28% renewables.

Quote from your link above
“The RET has affected the wholesale electricity market by encouraging additional generation capacity into the market at a time of falling demand, putting downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.”

In terms of employment renewables are employing 1000s of people installing the infrastructure, which will all be put at risk if the government removes the RET.

If the government is really serious about reducing electricity prices they need to do something about the network distributors who are the real problem. They have a monopoly and are responsible for more than half of the total cost of the electricity bill.

warmair,

Considering the subsidized renewable energy is several times more expensive than the energy it is replacing, there is every expectation that the 4% cost of renewables will increase dramatically.