Energy Minister Matthew Groom has cited the federal- and state-announced investigation into expanding Tasmania’s hydro systems as a boon for Hydro-owned consulting company Entura.
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However Opposition leader Rebecca White has queried the government’s commitment to the company.
“The announcement that was made last week is a very significant one, it really does represent, I think, a new era when it comes to hydropower in Tasmania,” Mr Groom said on Sunday.
Mr Groom said Entura would play a major role in undertaking a proposed hydro expansion announced last week by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Will Hodgman.
He said the company is enjoying a “growth spurt”, with 20 new employees hired in the past six months and an additional 30-40 engineering specialists expected to be hired over the next two years.
“Entura has seen the fastest growth in jobs over the course of the last five years and … they’re currently looking for 10 new workers,” he said, adding the government wanted to see most of the new jobs filled by Tasmanians.
“These are great jobs, they’re power engineers, system engineers and specialists in hydro and pump storage work.”
Opposition leader Rebecca White said that Mr Groom’s celebration of new energy jobs contradicted the state government’s previously-announced plans to privatise Entura.
“We’ve been telling [the state government] for years now that they shouldn’t be privatising Entura because there are opportunities to capitalise on our renewable energy advantage,” she said.
“The government should come out and clarify whether they intend to continue privatising Entura or whether it’s now off the table.”
