Carol Berry (Whitlam, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I would like to highlight two outstanding clean energy initiatives in the electorate of Whitlam. The first is the recently launched Illawarra Clean Energy Roadmap, which was commissioned by Business Illawarra and delivered in partnership with the University of Wollongong's Energy Futures Network as well as a dozen other government and industry collaborators. The roadmap outlines a strategy for the Illawarra to be Australia's leading clean energy hub by 2050 through the delivery of renewable energy, green hydrogen and advanced manufacturing. The Illawarra is strongly positioned to deliver the strategy because it has been designated a renewable energy zone, it has a strong industrial base with a skilled workforce, it has key infrastructure, including established rail links and a deep-water port, and there is real industry demand for renewable energy solutions. The economic opportunity that will flow from the Illawarra Clean Energy Roadmap is substantial, with the potential to generate more than 15,000 local jobs and inject more than $10 billion into the New South Wales economy.

The second initiative I would like to highlight was launched last year in the Southern Highlands by WinZero, or Wingecarribee Net Zero Emissions. WinZero's virtual energy network is a community-led initiative that connects local solar energy generators with their neighbours, including small businesses, allowing the sharing of excess solar power within the community. This benefits both the solar producers, who want to sell their surplus energy at a fair price and those households and businesses that don't have solar panels but would like to purchase local clean energy. The Southern Highlands trial has been so successful that Deakin University is leading a new study to see if the scope can be widened to the entire national electricity market.

I applaud all those involved in both of these initiatives to make such a valuable contribution to Australia's transition to renewable energy. I'm honoured to have been appointed to the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, and I look forward to working closely with my parliamentary colleagues to continue this important work. In its first term the Albanese Labor government approved a record number of renewable energy projects—enough to power more than 10 million homes—and enshrined emissions targets in law, with a target of net zero emissions by 2050. The re-elected Albanese Labor government is committed to delivering more clean and reliable renewable energy, and getting our energy grid to 82 per cent renewables by 2030.

Australia boasts the highest rate of rooftop solar in the world, and this government's $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program will help to bring down the cost of a typical battery by about 30 per cent. It is seeing more than 15,000 households add storage to their homes as more Australians embrace renewable energy. I am proud of the significant progress being made by Australians, including the two clean energy initiatives I've highlighted in the electorate of Whitlam. (Time expired)