- South Australia plans to speed up renewable energy and hydrogen projects by simplifying regulations and utilizing large areas of farmland.
- South Australia aims to streamline regulations for clean energy projects on farmland, hoping to trigger a hydrogen boom.
South Australia aims to stimulate a hydrogen and clean energy boom by simplifying regulations to expedite renewable energy projects on agricultural land. The state plans to offer vast land areas for renewable energy and hydrogen projects on a global scale.
These legislative changes would reduce bureaucratic hurdles for renewable energy initiatives and enable the government to facilitate large-scale developments on farmers’ properties. South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas believes it’s crucial for the state to harness its abundant wind and solar resources to support green hydrogen production and energy-intensive industries such as steel manufacturing.
Malinauskas emphasized the competitive nature of the global race in hydrogen and renewable energy. While opposition from landowners has hindered renewable energy transitions in other parts of the country, Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis expressed confidence in South Australia’s social acceptance of such projects, citing positive feedback from pastoralists who see renewable development as an additional income source without compromising their agricultural activities.
South Australia is already a renewable energy leader, with 70% of its electricity generated from renewable sources. It recently achieved a solar generation milestone by surpassing 120% of its electricity demand through rooftop and large-scale solar, with the surplus being exported to other states. The government sees these resources as belonging to the people of South Australia.