Page 1668 - Week 05 - Thursday, 5 May 2016
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The ACT can be immensely proud that it is punching well above its weight in demonstrating to other jurisdictions within Australia and globally how to cost-effectively achieve emissions reductions and strong investment outcomes. To date the ACT has been ranked in the top 10 of over 140 nations reporting to the carbon disclosure project for our climate change policies and reporting. We are in the top three for our renewable energy targets, and we were ranked as the leader for our 80 per cent emissions reductions target by 2050.
However, the world is progressing quickly, and our targets need to be updated. Even now as we sit here South Australia is ahead of the game, announcing in November 2015 its target of zero net emissions by 2050. We are not a city to have our titles taken from us lightly, Madam Deputy Speaker, so this government has set out a framework to achieve these emissions targets, including the previous target of 90 per cent renewable energy target by 2020.
It is with immense pleasure we can say that the ACT’s investment strategy is achieving the current targets, at a very modest cost, and by doing so we have opened up the opportunity to increase our renewable energy target to 100 per cent. The ACT government’s renewable energy local investment framework sets out a vision of Canberra as an internationally recognised centre for renewable energy innovation and investment. The ACT will also see $400 million spent in local investment.
Significant renewable energy projects have been built or are headquartered in the ACT, seeding the potential for further development and management of other assets or operations from the ACT and bringing jobs to our city. We are developing research and skills centres, attracting industry and students to the ACT, and building strong community support.
The government’s first three wind energy projects have achieved low cost and clean electricity to power over 100,000 Canberra homes, or approximately one-third of the ACT’s electricity demand. Once complete, the government’s suite of renewable energy projects will be the key mechanism for achieving by 2020 a 40 per cent reduction in emissions at an affordable cost.
This government’s leadership, vision and commitment is positioning the ACT at the forefront of renewable energy policy developments in Australia, and, indeed, the world. Canberra is emerging as an internationally recognised centre.
At 6 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MR GENTLEMAN: As I was saying. Canberra is emerging as an internationally recognised centre for renewable energy innovation and investment. In the process, we are diversifying the ACT economy. The next stage of renewable energy investment is equally if not more exciting. Germany, Japan and the US are regarded as the leaders in grid level energy storage due to a combination of government mandates and the need to incorporate large amounts of built and planned solar and wind farms. It is Australia, though, that is widely considered to be an ideal testing ground for storage,
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