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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-10-18 Daily Xml
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ZEN ENERGY

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide) (14:18): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier advise the house about the development of ZEN Energy's solar energy system in South Australia?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:19): I thank the honourable member for her question and acknowledge her keen interest in protecting the environment, in particular the growth of our renewable sector here in South Australia. Last week, when I was in Melbourne, I announced, with representatives of ZEN Energy at a Clean Energy Conference, that the company would be establishing an advanced manufacturing facility in Adelaide to build a world-first solar energy storage system.

ZEN's technology allows energy generated by solar and wind power to be captured for later use in residential, commercial and utilities settings. Their systems are made of high density lithium iron batteries which are linked to innovative software which balances how the energy is used. This is an incredible breakthrough. It's world-leading and it's happening here in South Australia.

Why is it happening here in South Australia? Because it is an example of the innovation and the ingenuity of South Australian entrepreneurs, which means that they are deciding to move up the value chain to ensure that our state's manufacturing sector is secure for decades to come. ZEN Energy is an emerging player in a business community that was recognised back in 2010 as one of the fastest growing companies in the state, by winning the in-business Fast Movers Award.

ZEN employs around 70 people—70 jobs that would not have been dreamt of 15 years ago. This investment is another vote of confidence in Adelaide. It also is no mistake that this happens in South Australia, where 26 per cent of our power is generated through renewable sources. There was not one wind farm when we came into government. Now we have almost 50 per cent of the nation's installed wind capacity. Twenty-six per cent of our generation comes from wind power. At night I think it is almost as high as 50 per cent on occasion. It is an extraordinary story—

Mrs Redmond: Is it baseload power?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: The honourable member demonstrates her lack of grasp of the topic by saying, 'Is this baseload power?' The fact is ZEN Energy allows you to store the energy. You can produce it off peak and store it and use it through—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —peak areas of demand. If those opposite spend a moment actually studying the question they would realise what a breakthrough this is. This is an incredibly important result for this state—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —but they always want to talk down somebody's achievements. They always want to talk down the young innovator who is actually kicking goals for South Australia, just as no doubt they will talk down the decision by Lion to expand the brewery at West End, another $70 million of investment, moving from Swan Brewery in Perth to South Australia, a vote of confidence in the South Australian—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: Point of order: that must be debate. He is talking about—

The SPEAKER: Order! Thank you. It did relate to the question but, Premier, I bring you back to the substance of the question.

Mrs REDMOND: Well, Madam Speaker, can I seek clarification of your ruling? How does a comment asserting that the Liberals have in any way criticised a $70 million investment in Lion Nathan brewery possibly relate to the ZEN Energy question?

The SPEAKER: Thank you. Premier, I refer you back to the question.

Mrs REDMOND: Madam Speaker, I sought—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: —clarification of your ruling.

The SPEAKER: Right. I will uphold your point and I would refer the Premier back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Thank you, Madam Speaker. If there could be just one small pause in the stream of abuse that is poured across the chamber since the start of question time it would permit me to complete my answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister for Police, order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: This does reflect the credentials that we have gathered in this state for our renewable energy sector. It also reflects our commitment to clean energy production. I note with interest the member for Stuart has shown his interest in Repower Port Augusta's campaign for a solar thermal plant, which is welcome support. I do not know whether his colleagues share that enthusiasm.

Mrs Redmond: He asked for an inquiry into it.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Just an inquiry. A little bit of support. Anyway—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: It is question time. It is not time for a debate across the floor. Order! Premier, you will answer the question and we will move on to the next one.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is important that we continue to recognise that there is excellence within the South Australian business community in sectors of the economy that grow and continue to demonstrate the resilience of the South Australian economy in the future.

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