Energy bills to increase by up to 40%

Engergy bills are tipped to increase by up to 40% according to Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane.

"I don't think the consumers fully understand the price tag associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions,"

he told The Courier-Mail in an exclusive interview. He said solar power was four to five times more expensive than electricity from coal and that wind power was twice as expensive - even though it was heavily subsidised.

"While the energy source is free, converting that to electricity is expensive,"

he said of wind and solar power.