DELIVERING WORLD-LEADING RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR ALL TASMANIANS

Guy Barnett MP, Minister for Energy and Renewables

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is powering ahead with our plan to secure Tasmania’s future by creating a clean energy highway that will help reduce emissions, deliver reliable and affordable energy for Tasmanians and create new local jobs.

Tasmania is already leading the nation by being 100 per cent self-sufficient in renewable energy and has legislated to become 200 per cent renewable by 2040.

Tasmania is a leader in climate change action, having achieved our target of net zero emissions in six of the last seven years.

By taking ambitious action on climate change we can also improve environmental, social and health outcomes for future generations.

This is why, as part of the 2022-23 Budget, the Tasmanian Liberal Government will commit $10 million over four years to replace our ageing fleet of fossil fuel boilers in schools, hospitals and correctional facilities with renewable energy-powered alternatives including bioenergy technology.

This is an important and practical step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Government buildings and to demonstrate leadership in what can be achieved through the adoption of bioenergy.

Modern bioenergy is one of the most widely used renewable energy generation sources in the world and the Tasmanian Government is laying the foundations for making the most of this abundant resource.

As part of the 2022-23 Budget, the Government is also investing $800,000 over two years to implement the actions of the recently released Tasmanian Renewable Energy Coordination Framework.

The Framework prioritises the actions necessary to coordinate the large-scale development and investment required to grow our renewable energy sector sustainably over the next 20 years and reach our 2040 Tasmanian Renewable Energy Target of 200 per cent.

This is crucial to ensure that the infrastructure is built to achieve our renewables vision at the lowest possible cost to consumers, while at the same time ensuring our communities have an early opportunity to engage and benefit from the opportunities.

We are well on the way to implementing the historic agreement we signed with the Australian Government in April to deliver Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation projects, cementing our renewable energy future.

Through working with our Government Business Enterprises, we will match the Commonwealth’s funding to support Marinus through to Final Investment Decision, while Hydro Tasmania will also provide up to $58 million for early works at the Tarraleah Power Station, as part of the broader Battery of the Nation project.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is also partnering with the Australian Government, and industry, to develop Bell Bay as a national green hydrogen hub. We will be matching support from the Australian Government, working with our GBEs and departments, with proponents paying their fair share of infrastructure costs.

The Tasmanian Government believes Bell Bay is a perfect location for a nation-leading green hydrogen hub and we are working with our Government businesses, hydrogen proponents and hydrogen support partners to help make this a reality.

The Government is serious about lowering the cost of living and we have proven it, delivering low-cost, reliable and clean power for Tasmanians.

Since 2014, in real terms, electricity prices have decreased by 18 per cent for residential customers and decreased by 27 per cent for small business customers.

We are continuing initiatives that support Tasmanians to manage their energy costs, including the $30 million Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme this financial year.

The Tasmanian Government has a bold and ambitious plan for energy in this State and this year’s Budget helps us to continue to deliver on this plan for all Tasmanians.