'Historical' renewable energy target a step closer in Tasmania

Energy Minister Guy Barnett tabled a bill to legislate the target in the House of Assembly yesterday.

"Today is a historical day with the introduction of the Tasmanian renewable energy target," he said. "This is a globally leading initiative."

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"We're not aware of any other jurisdiction in the world that has set a 200 per cent target.

"What it would do is double our current needs, our current generation, which is 10,500 gigawatt hours to 21,000 gigawatt hours by 2040, with an interim target of 2030 of 15,750 gigawatt hours."

The state government is currently aiming for 100 per cent renewable energy self-sufficiency by 2022, which Mr Barnett said the state was on track to reach.

But he said the 200 per cent target "presupposes" that the Marinus Link undersea interconnector project will proceed.

The Commonwealth government has made Marinus Link a priority infrastructure project and it will share in a $250 million funding package for energy transmission projects, detailed in the federal budget handed down last week.

John Titchen, the managing director of renewable energy company Goldwind Australia, said the 200 per cent target would "drive investor confidence".

"The Tasmanian government's plan is really a complete plan," he said. "It's the renewable energy target, the Marinus Link project and the Battery of the Nation."

"It's a suite of measures ... and we need all of these elements to come together."

UPC Renewables chief executive Anton Rohner said the legislation, if passed, would play a key role in helping Australia decarbonise.

"Supporting this strategy is an important part of ... stimulating economic and job activity for the rural regions in Tasmania," he said.

The renewable energy target legislation is yet to be debated in the lower house.

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