Ministerial Statement

Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:00): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: A global transformation of the energy sector is underway. South Australia's unique combination of wind and solar resources provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to lead in this transition. The opportunity is not lost on the Malinauskas Labor government and is why we developed the Hydrogen Jobs Plan to be our signature energy policy—an energy policy that will set up a future generation of prosperity for the people of our state.

Today, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia as the next step forward to delivering our Hydrogen Jobs Plan. The Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia as an attached office to the Department for Energy and Mining will undertake deliverables associated with the implementation of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan, including the development and construction of the government-owned hydrogen facilities.

This will allow the government to progress the initial stages of the plan until Hydrogen Power South Australia transitions into a government business enterprise to own and operate the new hydrogen-fuelled power plant, electrolyser and storage facility. Further, the creation of the Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia provides for a clear and independent organisational structure that will enable the recruitment and appointment of key positions to create the necessary skill set to deliver key elements of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan.

To run this new office, the government has appointed Mr Sam Crafter as the chief executive, reporting directly to the Minister for Energy and Mining. Mr Crafter has a unique skill set that includes significant experience at senior levels in the energy sector within government and the private sector, having worked for large energy companies, consultancies and small businesses.

Mr Crafter has had extensive experience implementing innovative energy policies in his former role as the executive director of the Energy Plan Implementation team, initially within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and later with the Department for Energy and Mining, under the previous Marshall government. His expertise in implementing energy reforms will be drawn upon as the government progresses the development and construction of the hydrogen facilities and formally establishes Hydrogen Power South Australia as a government business enterprise.

I look forward to returning to parliament with regular updates as key milestones of this transformational energy policy are achieved.