State Energy Plan

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:37): My question is directed to the Premier. How are South Australian companies seeking to create jobs through the government's energy plan?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:37): Our energy plan is about more than just creating affordable reliable and clean energy for South Australia. It is also about creating the jobs of the future. Last Monday, the Minister for Energy and I, together with the local member, visited 1414 Degrees at Tonsley, where Executive Chairman, Kevin Moriarty, gave us a tour of this great South Australian business. We saw a company that is focusing on creating clean storage solutions for the 21^st century, using silicon technology as opposed to lithium.

His technology stores electricity energy by using it to heat a block of pure silicon to the melting point, 1414º Celsius—hence, the name of the company. 1414 Degrees has positive things to say about the state energy plan, in particular the energy security target. Using 1414 Degrees' South Australian technology, wind and solar farms could be eligible for subsidies, making them more viable and supporting 1414 Degrees to expand their business. Mr Moriarty says:

The Energy Reform Plan sets a strong foundation for our technology to solve the major energy supply and security issues being faced in South Australia today. The know how behind our groundbreaking technology is South Australian and we will keep it here even though its applications are global.

Our energy plan is about more than just South Australian power for South Australians. It is also about the renewable technologies that can create hundreds of jobs for South Australians but, for us to realise those ambitions, we need certainty in national energy policy. Unfortunately, at a national level what we have seen is a renewable energy policy which could be described as dithering, particularly from the former prime minister and now the current Prime Minister, who has very much sold out to coal interests.

The reason why that is important is that, unless companies have a very clear signal about what they are going to get by way of financial returns for their investments, it will chill investment. People aren't even investing in tried and proven technologies so they certainly won't invest in new technologies. People need to understand the rules of the game. That's why we need national certainty at a national level. That's why we have seen a coming off in jobs in the renewable energy sector across this country. We need to return to being on the front foot in investing in this most important sector of the South Australian economy.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn the member for Hartley for persistent interjection. Leader.