If the Greens have anything to say about clean energy policies in South Australia, this land may showcase a 100% renewable electricity portfolio by 2030.
According to RenewEconomy, the Greens have announced plans to have “… South Australia source 100% of its electricity needs from clean energy by 2030.” Such a clean energy achievement will generate 1,000 jobs and include a SolarReserve 100MW solar tower and storage plant near Port Augusta.
This aggressive clean energy plan was made public Monday by Greens leader Richard Di Natale and other Senators in Adelaide ahead of the forthcoming federal election. He said this target will require an investment of around $15 billion over 15 years.
As writer Giles Parkinson puts it, “South Australia is the obvious place for the Greens to target a 100 per cent renewable energy plan. This year, it will be the first mainland state to pass the 50 per cent renewable energy mark, courtesy of more than 1,500MW of wind energy and 640MW of rooftop solar.”
Labor premier Jay Weatherill also supports a 100% renewable energy future. The official state target is 50% by 2025.
“Transitioning to clean energy is the key to unlocking South Australia’s economic potential and combating global warming,” di Natale said in a statement. “While both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten talk about tackling climate change, they have locked us into the industries of the last century, supporting coal and vested interests.
“It is a testing time for South Australia. The Whyalla community is facing the possible closure of its major employer while Port Augusta prepares to close its coal-fired power station. Thousands of jobs have been lost in this state yet our vision for a clean energy future would see this state thrive.”
The Greens back a proposal by US-based SolarReserve to build a 110MW solar tower with storage plant near Port Augusta. Ironically, this location is where the state’s last coal-fired generator is due to close down in May.
“This plan will deliver major new clean energy projects where the sun shines and the wind blows by working with industry and the community through a combination of reverse auctions and direct investment,” the Greens said in their statement.
We will report on developments taking place which will help in achieving this goal.
Image via Shutterstock
