ENVIRONMENT Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed the Turnbull government has lifted a ban on investing in wind power.

Fairfax Media said the government has issued the Clean Energy Finance Corporation with new orders that negate former prime minister Tony Abbott’s June decree — Malcolm Turnbull’s first major break from the former regime’s environment policy.

“There is a new investment mandate,” a spokesman for Mr Hunt confirmed to AAP.

The move is expected to give the multi-billion dollar wind industry a boost and inject renewed confidence into the renewable sector.

The Australian Conservation Foundation is encouraged by the news.

“Wind and solar are our future. I think our government led by this prime minister can take the right action for our future,” ACF head Kelly O’Shanassy told ABC television.

Originally published as Turnbull lifts ban on wind farms