The review panel is expected to present its recommendations to the Federal Government next month.

Pacific Hydro Australia executive general manager Lane Crockett said progress on the company’s Crowlands project, near Ararat, was on hold until the review results were released.

Mr Crockett said the industry had suffered since the review started.

“It has created a difficult operating environment for Pacific Hydro, in that the commercial risk associated with proceeding with projects is quite high,” he said.

He said the industry lacked confidence because the Federal Government had appointed a hand-picked panel to perform the review, instead of the Climate Change Authority.

RES Australia has delayed construction of its Ararat project for similar reasons.

Spokesman Kevin Garthwaite said the $400-million development was ‘shovel ready’, but would not progress until the review’s outcome.

Planning for a proposed $600-million wind farm at Murra Warra is ongoing.

“We are at the stage where we are progressing towards making a planning application,” Mr Garthwaite said.

But RES Australia has delayed public consultations until the review’s outcome is known.

“We will scale our plans according to what comes out of the review,” Mr Garthwaite said.