A Clean Energy Target - the centrepiece of the Finkel Review - is effectively an extension of the existing Renewable Energy Target, but it will be a politically easier sell for the Turnbull government.

Unlike the RET - which legislates 23 per cent of Australia's energy generation or 33,000 gigawatt hours, must come from clean energy sources by 2020 - a CET, also known as a Low Emissions Target, is technology neutral and can apply to any generation source.