MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today welcomed the recent release of the NSW Renewable Energy Action Plan Annual Report 2015, and has talked up the region’s burgeoning renewable energy credentials.
A passionate advocate for the renewable energy sector, Mr Marshall said that in only the second year of the action plan, 12 of its 24 goals had been completed, while nine more have been progressed.
The MP said this progress clearly showed NSW was open for business and investment in the renewable energy sector.
“Energy security and diversity is a priority for the government in achieving a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply for the state,” Mr Marshall said.
“Around 35 per cent of renewable energy companies in Australia are based in NSW.
“Commercial-scale solar has surged from 680 installations in 2010 to a total of 8,800 installations in July 2015.
“The share of generation from solar, wind and bioenergy sources in NSW has more than doubled over the past four years since 2010.”
Mr Marshall reiterated his belief that Northern Tablelands had huge potential for renewable energy projects, citing the Moree Solar Farm, which will come online early next year and the White Rock Wind Farm project near Glen Innes which is about to commence construction.
“We are also leading the way in Australia with initiatives like the Zero Net Energy Town at Uralla, piloting the first community to generate 100 per cent of its energy needs locally,” Mr Marshall said.
“Renewable energy may be a relatively new industry in our region but it is one we should wholeheartedly embrace at the environmental and local economic gains are enormous.
“In our region we can leverage new jobs from renewables, diversify our local economies and play a significant part in generating cleaner and cheaper electricity for ourselves and the rest of NSW.”
Mr Marshall said across NSW the renewable energy sector employed 4,900 people directly and supported an estimated 14,800 jobs in 2014 and NSW now sourced more energy from solar than from the Snowy Hydro Scheme.
To view the Annual Report visit www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au