NSW Labor supports renewable energy in the Hunter

The NSW Labor Party has announced its vision of the Hunter region as a national hub for solar and renewable energy. The commitment has been welcomed by the Australian Solar Council.

“The Australian Solar Council welcomes NSW Labor’s promise of additional funding for the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources, the Hunter Clean Tech Innovation Taskforce and to Hunter TAFE to build clean tech skills,” said Solar Council Chief Executive John Grimes, who is also the CEO of the Australian Energy Storage Council.

“The $10 million commitment to energy storage through the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources at the University of Newcastle is particularly welcomed,” he added, noting that energy storage can “significantly bring down electricity costs and make the electricity network more robust, flexible and reliable”.

Grimes said Newcastle has a reputation as a national centre of excellence for solar and renewable energy, with residents who “know solar saves money and creates jobs”. He stated, “More than 220,000 people in the federal electorate of Newcastle have slashed their power bills by installing solar panels or solar hot water systems.”

Grimes believes clean energy to be the future of the Hunter region, providing jobs driven by innovation, research and development.