Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has used a speech to Tasmania’s Liberal Party members to spruik the state’s renewable energy future.
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At the Tasmanian Liberal Party State Council in Launceston on Saturday, Mr Turnbull said the state had a “massive role to play” in the national electricity market.
“Tasmania has the best wind resources in the nation … but you’ve got to have some backup,” he told about 250 delegates.
“I talk a lot about Snowy Hydro and we are so proud of it … you can do the same here in Tasmania.
“Tassie hydro coupled with renewables, coupled with another interconnector – you put all that together, this is a big deal, a big vision for Tasmania as the renewable energy battery for Australia.”
Mr Turnbull said the idea of a second interconnector across Bass Strait would continue to be investigated.
“We’re funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency a joint study with Hydro Tasmania into at least nine, and maybe more, pumped hydro projects across the state,” he said.
“By building the mix of generation assets here in Tasmania, hydro, tidal or the new Cattle Hill wind farm announced in June … you can see a future for much greater connectivity across the national electricity market.
“This is a big deal, a big vision, a big opportunity.”
Tasmania’s Environment Minister Matthew Groom said Mr Turnbull’s statement was the “clearest public commitment yet” on realising the state’s potential.
“I think it’s fair to say that Tasmania is on track to realise its potential to be the renewable energy powerhouse of the nation,” Mr Groom said.
“Our hydro system has double the capacity of Snowy and that’s why the Prime Minister speaks with such passion about Tasmania’s potential.”
Looking at the state more broadly, Mr Turnbull said he was committed to the future of businesses and industries.
“The fortunes of this state have been transformed,” he said.
“Now confidence, optimism, resilience has once again returned to Tasmania.”
Tasmanian Liberal Party state director Sam McQuestin said the party still had work to do in the state.
“It’s been a year of preparation for the Liberal Party building to the election in March next year,” Mr McQuestin said.
“The job is not done.
“There is some risk of a hung Parliament and this is something that is not acceptable to Tasmanians.”
Speaking to the terrorist attacks that have unfolded in Spain, Mr Turnbull turned his thoughts towards missing seven-year-old Australian boy Julian Cadman.
The State Council will resume on Sunday.
