In a joint statement released today, eight organisations, including the aluminium council representing Portland smelter, warn that unless the impasse is broken soon industries will be curtailed and investment in renewable energy generation blocked.

Mr Tehan on Thursday evening went on national television to call for a compromise deal of 33,000 giga-Watt hours as the annual renewable energy target by 2020.

His government has stuck to 32,000 gWh and the opposition on 33,500 gWh. 

Yesterday, Mr Tehan said he was heartened by the positive response to his call, but admitted there had been an angry reaction by wind farm opponents.

“It had been frustrating that both parties were so close in their targets and I had been keen to see it resolved,” the Hamilton MP told The Standard.

“I was also heartened with Environment Minister Greg Hunt saying on Friday it was time to resolve the issue.”

Mr Tehan said a central point to an agreement would be a guarantee that Portland Aluminium would be exempt for the RET until 2030.

“They use 10 per cent of Victoria’s electricity and rely on base load generation which comes from brown coal and cannot be supplied by renewable sources,” Mr Tehan.

“If the smelter had to come under the RET it would mean a $10m cost annually which would make its operation in Australia unviable competing against countries that had much cheaper electricity.

“My call for a deal is based on the risk of thousands of jobs being lost in the major trades industry of aluminium, cement and steel manufacturing.”

Wind farm opponents, including Annie Gardner of Macarthur, slammed Mr Tehan and accused him of becoming a “Leftie”.

“It’s time we had a change in this supposed safe seat of Wannon,” Ms Gardner said. 

“He’s been receiving emails all day long absolutely slamming him for his behaviour and total neglect of so many families impacted by wind farms at Cape Bridgewater, Macarthur, Glenthompson, Waubra, not to mention around Australia.”

pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au