Tasmanian Business leaders are gathering this week to discuss renewable energy projects at a range of forums hosted by the Tasmanians Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The forums are set to put a spotlight on the Battery of the Nation and Project Marinus, and how such projects can benefit Tasmanian businesses and industries. The forums also give the opportunity to discuss how businesses can prepare themselves to benefit from renewable energy sources and get involved with projects and contracts currently on the table for the State.
In April 2017, the Prime Minister and Tasmanian Premier expressed support for studies into projects that would boost Tasmania’s energy generation. Their announcement focused on boosting Tasmania’s clean energy capacity. The Battery of the Nation initiative was formed to investigate and develop a pathway of future development opportunities for Tasmania to make a greater contribution to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
“Tasmania is uniquely placed to help lead Australia through its challenging transition towards cleaner sources of energy. Battery of the Nation offers a future that’s clean, reliable and affordable,” said Steve Davy, Hydro Tasmania CEO. Meanwhile, the purpose of Project Marinus is to investigate further Bass Strait interconnection and the viability of further interconnection between Tasmania and the rest of the NEM.
“These forums highlight the interest in Tasmania’s energy future. We have what the rest of the country want – low cost, reliable, clean energy,” announced Guy Barnett, Tasmanian Minister for Energy.
“We have an ambitious target of achieving the lowest regulated power prices in the country by 2022 and becoming fully self-sufficient in the same timeframe,” he said this morning.
Mr Barnett also said that the State Government’s plans for further interconnection across the Bass Strait, new pumped hydro schemes and significant upgrades to existing hydro facilities with transformative opportunities for Tasmania that represent thousands of potential jobs.
More information on Battery of the Nation can be found here and Project Marinus can be found here.
