Tasmania has a world leading legislated target to reach 150 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030 and 200 per cent by 2040.
This means more affordable, reliable and clean energy to power our State, as well as create new jobs and investment opportunities that will benefit our regional communities and help combat climate change, such as Marinus Link, Battery of the Nation, green hydrogen and green manufacturing.
The Tasmanian Government understands that the future development and investment in renewable energy needs to be prioritised and coordinated, driven by our Renewable Energy Coordination Framework released earlier this year.
One of the key actions under the Framework is to implement a Register of Interest (ROI) process to help us plan and prepare for new opportunities such as green hydrogen and green manufacturing and identify a pipeline of renewable energy generation across the State to help fuel this new investment.
The ROI identified a large number of potential renewable energy generation projects, with around 25,000 GWh of potential renewable energy projects currently seeking approval and aiming to start operation by 2030. This would be more than enough new generation to support achievement of our Tasmanian Renewable Energy Target.
Our renewable energy policy is working and highlights Tasmania’s renewable energy credentials. Our 100 per cent renewable energy status has driven interest in Tasmania from investors, keen to contribute to helping the environment while at the same time creating Tasmanian jobs.
This information from the ROI will be used to inform the build out and implement Tasmania’s first Renewable Energy Zone later this year and support the matching of new generation and load growth to achieve our renewable energy future.
Importantly, renewable energy projects in Tasmania are subject to rigorous and independent development, environmental and cultural heritage assessments across the three tiers of Government, with public consultation a critically important part of that process. The Government strongly encourages proponents to engage actively and consult with the community as these projects progress.
Tasmania can be the nation’s cleanest, smartest and most innovative state. Through the development of more renewable energy, we will deliver jobs for future generations of Tasmanians, and ensure the cheapest form of electricity, renewable energy, supports growing investment and new industries here on island, while helping the nation tackle climate change.