The world's leading conservation organisation has told the Tasmanian government that the state's renewable energy sector could spark a new "MONA effect", attracting people and investment to the island.
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In its submission to the draft Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan, WWF Australia commens the state government for its long-term commitment to renewables and makes a raft of recommendations relating to how it believes the state can become a "world-leading" renewable energy powerhouse.
The draft action plan was released in May. It sets a target for Tasmania to double its renewable generation to 200 per cent of the state's current electricity needs by 2040, while also committing to the local production and export of renewable hydrogen by 2030, as well as consultation on a net zero emissions target.
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"WWF Australia commends the Tasmanian government for significant achievements - both the anticipated achievement of 100 per cent renewable self-sufficiency, and also the bold step of proposing to set a world-leading 200 per cent renewables target," the WWF submission reads.
"WWF believes that the opportunities presented by Tasmania's abundant and high quality renewable resources can be transformed into jobs, new industries, new export opportunities, and economic growth."
Tasmania should "lean in on the MONA effect" and treat renewable energy as an "attractor" with a potentially similar pull to the wildly successful museum, WWF said.
The organisation also urged the government to consider going even further than a 200 per cent target by committing to a 300-350 per cent target by 2040.
Energy Minister Guy Barnett said the 200 per cent target was set to be legislated this year and had been scheduled for tabling in State Parliament in the coming months.
"The draft Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan outlines the blueprint to transform Tasmania into a world-leading provider of affordable, reliable and clean energy," Mr Barnett said.
"We welcome all submissions on how we can achieve that goal so we can best harness our renewable energy assets to create thousands of jobs, while benefiting our state for decades to come."
Consultation around the plan closed last month and the government has begun work on the final version.
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Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
