The Australian Wind Energy Association said a significant increase has also been seen in the number of wind projects approved for construction jumping from under 300 MW in October last year to almost 400 MW today. 400 MW is enough electricity to power 200,000 Australian homes.

"Increasing new renewable energy generation to 10% by 2010 means investment of nearly $10 billion and more than 9,500 new jobs, a good portion being in economically hard-hit rural areas," said AusWEA President, Ian Lloyd-Besson.

"But if the MRET target is not raised to world levels, these jobs and investment dollars will be jeopardised."

AusWEA has called on the Federal Government to increase the target to an additional 10% renewable energy by 2010.

"The wind industry has a target of installing 5,000MW by 2010, with new investment of at least $7 billion. Should the Federal Government fail to increase the MRET to 10%, however, it is estimated that all but 1,000 MW of these projects would be pulled," warned another AusWEA executive.