Australia could become a renewable energy superpower after the prime minister made a $1 billion solar power announcement in the nation’s coal heartland.
Australia has one of the highest uptakes of solar power in the world, where one in three households have panels on the roof.
But only one per cent of those panels are made in Australia.
On Thursday, Anthony Albanese announced his government will commit $1 billion to Solar SunShot, a program aimed at capturing a greater share of the global manufacturing supply chain through production subsidies and grants.
“We have every metal and critical mineral necessary to be a central player in the net zero transformation, and a proven track record as a reliable energy producer and exporter,” Mr Albanese said.
The announcement, made from the decommissioned coal-fired Liddell Power Station, will ensure more solar panels are made across the nation, even at fossil fuel hubs like the Hunter Valley in NSW.
Mr Albanese said it would bring hundreds more jobs than those previously created at Liddell and create positive flow-on effects for the entire region.
“This will really kickstart the transition in the Hunter,” he told ABC radio.
The Australian Conservation Foundation welcomed the announcement, with its climate and clean energy campaign Ella Factor calling it an ambitious and essential investment.
“Powering Australia with sunshine, harnessed by Australian-made solar panels, is an important step towards decarbonising our energy systems,” she said.
“Programs like Solar Sunshot chart a course for Australia to future-proof its economy by becoming a world leader in renewable know-how and making things with renewables.”
The government on Wednesday introduced legislation to set up a Net Zero Authority, which will help provide architecture for a renewable transition programs roll-out.
This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this site
