Delivering Tasmania’s renewable energy future

12 November, 2020

Guy Barnett MP

2020-21 Budget: Delivering Tasmania’s renewable energy future

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a Plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania and the 2020-21 State Budget confirms our commitment to Tasmania’s renewable energy future, creating jobs and helping our economy as we continue to recover from COVID-19.

We are investing $3.8 million across the Forward Estimates to implement a range of renewable energy initiatives that will confirm our reputation as Australia’s renewable energy powerhouse.  This includes;

• Continuing to progress our Project Marinus and Battery of the Nation initiatives that will play a lead role in Tasmania and the nation’s economic recovery from COVID-19, as well as driving business investment and creating thousands of local jobs, many in regional areas;
• Funding to implement our Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan and the world leading Tasmanian Renewable Energy Target;
• The development of a Renewable Energy Coordination Framework; and
• The development of a Tasmanian Bioenergy Vision in 2021 with the opportunity for public comment which includes the development of a feasibility study on a Boiler Replacement Program for heating purposes.

Our renewable energy future has the potential to create thousands of jobs and benefit our State for decades to come and this Budget confirms we are backing it to the hilt and charging full steam ahead.

It confirms our commitment to transform Tasmania from being Australia’s renewable energy powerhouse into a world leader of clean, reliable and affordable energy.

The Budget also locks in $12 million across the Forward Estimates for the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Development Fund that will help to kick-start the renewable hydrogen industry in Tasmania, and an additional $4 million to further support the development of our renewable hydrogen industry.

Tasmania is well placed to become Australia’s renewable hydrogen epicentre, and this funding confirms our commitment to develop the industry, in line with the Tasmanian Renewable Action Plan.

Tasmania has what the nation wants in reliable, clean and affordable renewable energy and this Budget is backing the sector to create jobs and provide the certainty and confidence our community needs as we continue to recover from COVID-19.