The NSW government has broken ranks with conservative counterparts in Canberra and the other states by declaring its strong support for the national renewable energy target.

Unlike other Coalition leaders, including Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Mike Baird makes clear in his government's submission to the federal RET review that renewable energy benefits consumers, helps energy security by diversifying sources and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

NSW Premier Mike Baird (left) and Environment Minister Rob Stokes: fans of renewables. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The NSW submission notes the fixed target - now at 41,000 gigawatt-hours of clean energy sources by 2020 - last year cost households in the state about $40. That sum, though, was offset by the effect renewable energy had on driving down wholesale electricity prices, the report said. ''The RET is good for NSW consumers and households - it ultimately saves money,'' said Amy Kean, the state's renewable energy advocate, who helped prepare the submission.

The state also has a lot of jobs and investment at stake - some 8395 megawatts of capacity worth about $13 billion are ''progressing through the planning system'', the report said.