Renewable Energy Target

Ms COOK (Fisher) (15:16): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Could the minister please update the house regarding the target for renewable energies?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (15:16): I thank the member for her question and her keen interest in renewable energy. In 2014, we introduced a target to achieve 50 per cent renewable energy in South Australia by 2025. I can now officially advise the house that we have almost reached that target eight years ahead of schedule—eight.

Last week, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released its annual South Australian Electricity Report for 2017. The figures in that report confirm that in 2016-17, 48.9 per cent of energy produced in our state came from renewable resources. This is up from 43 per cent in 2015-16. It is a significant achievement for South Australia and places us miles ahead of other mainland states. It is not only an achievement in terms of emissions reductions, but it has also created significant economic opportunities for our state.

As of 30 June this year, the cumulative investment in low-carbon generation in South Australia was approximately $7.6 billion, and in that same year there were 2,135 people employed in our renewables sector. This is why our Future Jobs Fund identifies renewable energy as one of the key growth sectors in our state. It presents significant opportunities for employment and industry growth in South Australia. We have also developed a Hydrogen Roadmap designed to secure a leading position in one of the great energy sources of the future, opening up the possibility of exploring renewable energy in liquid hydrogen form and then exporting that energy around the world.

Meanwhile, wholesale electricity prices in South Australia are falling. This financial year to date, wholesale prices in South Australia have been approximately 18 per cent lower than the average for 2016-17. They are 3.5 per cent lower than Victoria's, which is a complete reversal of previous trends. Despite all those achievements, there are some who want us to abandon any renewable energy ambitions and all of the employment, and all of the industry growth, and all of the investment and opportunities that come with it.

We are now four months from the next state election, and our opponents have said they want this to be a referendum on renewable energy. Bring it on. Let's absolutely have a referendum on renewable energy. While we are being recognised as global leaders in renewable energy, the centrepiece of the woeful policy being given to South Australia by members opposite is an extension cord into New South Wales—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: clearly debate.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will be seated.

Mr Pederick: Chuck him out.

The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond, the Treasurer is only on one call to order.

Mr Pederick: That's enough, sir.

The SPEAKER: Really? Is that enough for members of the opposition?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Speaker tries to be normative. Treasurer, that was debate.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I apologise for upsetting the opposition by reminding them about the impotence of their own plan.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Treasurer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The thing about renewable energy that is sourced here in South Australia is that we are not reliant on other states. It is important to be self-sufficient. Greater interconnection is always plan B. Plan A is always to source and secure more generation in your own state and not be reliant on other jurisdictions. Plan A is always to make sure that we are masters of our own destiny. Plan A is to make sure that we have generators here—wind, solar thermal, pumped hydro, gas, batteries—taking advantage of our own resources, not being reliant on other jurisdictions for our power, like others opposite plan for us.