Advancing our renewable energy capability

2.1

Promote Tasmanian and National emissions reduction and energy security by continuing to invest in hydro-electricity assets, considering the findings of relevant studies to further Tasmania’s renewable electricity generation, progressing opportunities for further renewable energy development, and advocating for Tasmania to play a significant role in national energy security

Ongoing

State Growth

In May 2020, the Tasmanian Government released a draft Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan 2020. The Plan is a key element of the Government’s policy to further expand renewable energy and aims to double Tasmania’s renewable energy generation with a target of 200 per cent of our current needs by 2040.

In March 2020, the Tasmanian Government released the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan to ensure that Tasmania is positioned to benefit from the emerging global renewable hydrogen industry. The Plan is supported by a comprehensive $50 million funding support package to help activate development of the renewable hydrogen industry in Tasmania.

The Government is on track to be 100 per cent self-sufficient in renewable electricity generation by 2022. With new wind farms coming online in 2020 Tasmania is set to achieve this target ahead of schedule.

The Tasmanian Government has also continued to progress national scale renewable energy projects such as the Marinus Link and the Battery of the Nation. In June 2020, the Australian Government announced that the Marinus Link would be one of 15 national priority projects.

Ongoing

2.2

Provide resources and guidance materials to support businesses and households to access the Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme or other finance options

DPAC (TCCO)

The $40 million Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (TEELS) closed in April 2019.

TCCO provides information on the practical actions households and businesses can take to improve energy efficiency.

Complete

2.3

Work with businesses to maximise energy efficiency and identify energy savings projects eligible for application to the Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme or other finance options

Expected completion

FY 2019-20

DPAC (TCCO)

The Power$mart Businesses program offers funding to eligible Tasmanian businesses for energy efficiency audits, and provides an audit report detailing practical information about ways to improve energy efficiency. Improved energy efficiency can help lower power bills, protect against future energy price rises, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Since the program opened, 31 applications from Tasmanian businesses were received across 36 individual sites. Twenty one audits have been completed and a further six are in progress.

Nearing completion

2.4

Determine the suitability of Environmental Upgrade Agreements and other financing options to support energy upgrades in Tasmania’s non-residential building stock

DPAC (TCCO)

An Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs) feasibility study has been completed. EUAs are financial arrangements that provide low-cost long-term loans to building owners to improve energy efficiency. The Final Report indicated that EUAs do not currently present a viable option for Tasmania. This conclusion was informed by the views of local stakeholders, the level of success of similar schemes in place in other Australian jurisdictions, and the number of upgrade projects that would be required for a Tasmanian EUA scheme to be economically viable.

Complete

2.5

Work with local government and service providers to support the delivery of energy efficient street lighting and smart controls projects

Ongoing

DPAC (TCCO)

The Tasmanian Government participated in a workshop with local government and TasNetworks to discuss the barriers to the rollout of high efficiency street lighting technologies and smart control systems.

Work continues to provide efficient and cost effective solutions to increase the numbers of high efficiency street lights.

Ongoing

2.6

Support Tasmanian Government agencies to monitor and report energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions

Ongoing

DPAC (TCCO)

Implementation of a whole-of-government energy use and emissions monitoring and reporting software platform is complete.

Relevant agency staff have been trained to use the software and TCCO provides ongoing support to agencies to maintain and update energy accounts data and information.

Ongoing

2.7

Improve the energy efficiency of Tasmanian Government owned and leased buildings through energy audits, cost-effective capital upgrades and a behaviour change program

Complete

DPAC (TCCO)

Energy audits have been completed at agency sites including the New Town and Mt Pleasant laboratories for DPIPWE.

DoE has taken the results from the energy audits at Ogilvie and Taroona High Schools to explore opportunities at other schools. This has included installing energy efficient appliances and solar PV, and a behaviour change program.

Complete