Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act

**UPDATE: We have released our consultation report regarding the Issues Paper. View it here**

Have your say on a proposed Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act.

What's being decided?

South Australia’s renewable energy sector is growing rapidly in response to local and global demand. There is tremendous potential for the state to become a global leader in renewable energy production and supply, delivering benefit to all South Australians. 

There is a significant amount of interest in establishing renewable energy projects on government-owned pastoral lands and state waters, which are co-owned by native title groups.

In response, the Department for Energy and Mining is proposing a Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act to ensure that this pipeline of projects is socially and environmentally sustainable and responsibly addresses native title rights and Aboriginal interests.

Background

For Australia to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by limiting the amount of coal and gas we use to make electricity, energy from renewable sources will need to be about 40 times more than what today's national electricity market produces.

South Australia is a global leader in the transition to renewable energy. In just over 15 years, we have shifted our energy source from 1 per cent to more than 65 per cent renewable energy and are powering towards a target of 100 per cent by 2030. With our abundant renewable resources, South Australia is well-positioned to capitalise on the local and international shift towards clean, renewable fuel sources.

To develop a sustainable industry that provides the best outcomes for communities, respects native title and delivers net environmental benefit, we need a fit-for purpose regulatory framework in place.

The proposed Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act seeks to introduce a ‘one window to government’ licencing and regulatory system for the lifecycle of large-scale hydrogen and renewable energy projects in South Australia. We are now seeking public comment on a range of matters that will shape the direction of the legislation. 

Get involved

Find out more:

• read the full Issues Paper and consider the questions it contains
• explore the interactive map 
• attend an information session:
  • Ceduna: 1 December 2022, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Surpry's Mall, 35 Poynton Street, Ceduna
  • Clare: 5 December 2022, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm - Clare Town Hall / Ennis Park, 229 Main Street, Clare
  • Port Pirie: 5 December 2022, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm - TLAP Office, 125 Ellen Street, Port Pirie
  • Ardrossan: 6 December 2022, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm - Ardrossan Town Hall, 9 First Street, Ardrossan
  • Berri: 6 December 2022, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Riverland Central Plaza, Kay Avenue, Berri (next to Coles)
  • Mount Gambier: 8 December 2022, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Marketplace, 248 Penola Road, Mount Gambier (next to Woolworths)
  • Port Lincoln: 13 December 2022, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm - 66 Tasman Terrace, Port Lincoln (foot path area)
  • Whyalla: 30 January 2023, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Site 2, Westland Shopping Centre, Mcdouall Stuart Avenue, Whyalla Norrie
  • Port Augusta: 31 January 2023, 9:00 am to 12 noon - 54 Commercial Road, Port Augusta (under the Avis Woodcock Memorial Arbour)
• view the recording of the online webinar and Q&A information session held on 14 December, 2022
  

Have your say:

• respond to the questions posed in the Issues Paper by completing the survey
• provide other feedback in the general comments field
• email a submission to DEM.Legislation@sa.gov.au
• post your written submission to Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act Engagement, Department for Energy and Mining, GPO Box 320, Adelaide SA 5001.

What are the next steps?

Feedback was reviewed and considered in shaping the provisions of a draft Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act. A draft Bill was prepared and a record of consultation can be found here.