South Australia will increase its renewable energy target to 50 per cent by 2025, Premier Jay Weatherill today (Tuesday) announced, coinciding with the UN Climate Summit.
“This new target of half of the state’s power to be generated by renewable sources will create jobs and drive capital investment and advanced manufacturing industries,” Mr Weatherill said.
“But we will only be successful with both of these targets if the federal government maintains the current Renewable Energy Target Scheme arrangements.”
Mr Weatherwill said the sovereign risk created by what he saw as an “unnecessary” RET review was causing a number of projects to be put on hold.
“There are hundreds, if not thousands of SA jobs in the renewable energy sector – these are the growth areas we should be supporting, not undermining.”
The announcement was welcomed by the Climate Council, which said increased renewable energy was inevitable
“South Australia’s position highlights what can be done with strong renewable energy targets – you bring down the cost of power and create jobs and investment,” Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said.
“Coal is increasingly unprofitable, a risk to heath, the economy and environment and this is being recognised around the world.”