Renewable Energy

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:48): It is no good having wealth if we do not have a world in which to spend it. That is a common argument made in a variety of ways by those who know we need to do something about climate change and support renewable energy. But for many, it is just a throwaway line that is easily forgotten as the burdens of day-to-day life take over. The trick is to preserve the environment while ensuring that our day-to-day needs are also met. Only it is not a trick, as South Australian Labor has been proving for well over a decade. It is just a matter of creating achievable goals in generating renewable energy.

South Australia is the leading mainland state in Australia for renewable energy, second only overall to Tasmania. More than three-quarters of our energy is acquired from renewable sources. That virtually doubles the percentage achieved by either Victoria or New South Wales. That number is set to increase to 85 per cent in the next 12 months.

Not prepared to be content with their already impressive energy achievements, the Malinauskas government is determined to power the state with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2027, and we are on track to do that. We are also already the leading state, overall, in installed wind and solar capacity. Our unparalleled renewable energy record started under the Rann Labor government when the Premier of the day became the nation's first ever climate change minister, and we have achieved these outcomes in just over 20 years. The International Energy Agency has described South Australia's move towards renewable energy—which is 8 per cent ahead of recognised international leader, Denmark—as remarkable.

With respect to the opposition, their bipartisan support of renewable energy has created a secure and stable climate for change. This government has also brought forward the former Liberal government's 100 per cent renewable target. But unlike other former conservative governments around Australia, and the current federal opposition, at least they set one. They set a date for 2030, we brought it forward three years and, with a great deal more confidence, that will be achieved. In both cases, South Australia is a long way ahead of our eastern neighbours.

At our current rate of moving over to renewable energy, we are already on track to meet our new target. Since Labor came into office, just over three years ago, we have introduced a raft of initiatives to accelerate our move to renewable energy. We have promoted the use and storage of wind power, solar PV, solar thermal batteries and thermal storage. We have put additional focus on low-carbon technologies, and we have promoted zero-emission vehicles by investing in charging and refuelling infrastructure. It will allow excess renewable energy generated from large-scale wind and solar farms to be stored and utilised to provide consistency to supply output.

South Australia will become a net exporter of energy to the Eastern States, which will be an economic windfall for the state. The target of 100 per cent renewable energy cannot be achieved by one action or one energy source. This is a comprehensive commitment that involves the multifaceted approach to our current and future energy supply. South Australia can be proud of what it has achieved in the face of ill-founded criticism after blackouts and cynicism that renewable energy could become so reliable. The proof is in the output already being achieved.

In years to come, thanks to forward thinking—when other jurisdictions around Australia and the world buried their heads in the sand—South Australia will have all the energy it needs. We will also have an energised powerful economy and a clear conscience about how we achieved it.