New report stakes out Australia’s future as a renewable energy superpower
A new report commissioned by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Climate Action Network Australia, and conducted by the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures and SGS Economics and Planning, lays out the key opportunities and actions required to stake out Australia’s future as a renewable energy superpower.
The report, ‘Towards a Renewable Energy Superpower’, identifies key opportunities to develop Australia’s renewable energy supply chains, including a diversified battery supply chain, wind and solar panel manufacturing, high-voltage cable manufacturing, and electric heavy vehicle production.
The economic and employment benefits are considerable, including up to $82 billion in wind tower production by 2050 and up to 60,000 jobs in solar panel manufacture to achieve Australia’s net zero emissions targets.
The Hon Brendan O’Connor, Federal Minister for Skills will officially launch the report in Melbourne at 11am, 10 April.
Quotes attributable to AMWU National Secretary Steve Murphy
Mr Murphy said the report clearly set out the opportunities for Australia to become a renewable energy superpower and the actions required to get there.
“Australia is a global leader in renewable energy research and development and has access to the best renewable energy sources in the world.
“Yet, our contribution to date has been bound up in our reputation as a ‘dig and ship’ economy, where minerals are sent offshore to produce energy and manufactured goods.
“Australia has a significant opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower, but it will take focused policy action and investment by government to make this a reality.
“Transitioning Australia into a renewable energy superpower will deliver secure, high-quality jobs to our regions.
“It will help onshore new renewable energy manufacturing industries back to Australia, returning investment to our local communities.”
Quotes attributable to The Hon Brendan O’Connor, Federal Minister for Skills and Training
“Harnessing the opportunities of that transformation provides a very real opportunity to ensure our economic prosperity.
“Our government believes that making sure people have the right education and training is absolutely central to meeting our Net Zero obligations while also creating good, union jobs in our cities and regions—especially legacy fossil fuel regions.
“We know that realising our potential to be a ‘renewable energy superpower’, as the report suggests, will only be possible if the VET sector, universities, and industry each play a strong role to build the skilled labour required.
“This means we need to upskill our existing workforce for new jobs and new technologies and training thousands of new workers through apprenticeships and traineeships.”
Quotes attributable to the Gavan McFadzean, Australian Conservation Foundation, Climate Action Network Australia
“The economic and employment benefits of building Australia’s future as a renewable energy superpower are considerable.
“The demand for wind towers across Australia and globally is set to increase, and the value of domestic wind tower production could be as high as $82 billion by 2050.
“Building a national diversified battery supply chain that includes processing, manufacturing, services and recycling in Australia could contribute over $55 billion to the economy, while a domestic solar panel manufacturing sector could deliver 60,000 jobs, enabling Australia to meet its net zero targets.
“Becoming a renewable energy superpower will also deliver more affordable energy prices to families and businesses struggling to make ends meet with high energy costs.
“Critically, it will ensure Australia can do its part in fighting climate change by enabling us to get carbon pollution down as fast as possible and make the switch from coal and gas to the clean energy jobs and industries of the future.
“Finally, to advise the government and make the creation of Australia as a renewable energy superpower a reality, we’re also calling for the establishment of a Green Manufacturing Council.”
Quotes attributable to University of Technology Research Director Dr Chris Briggs
Report co-author Dr Briggs said the report sets out five clearly defined key priority actions for government to unlock renewable energy jobs and investment while reducing our carbon emissions.
“We must develop a clear and coherent renewable energy innovation policy to set a roadmap for growth.
“We must establish a fund that can use targeted investment, grants and incentives to help the Australian renewable energy sector scale into internationally competitive exporters.
“Critically, we must work with state and territory governments to use local content laws and government procurement to support our new renewable energy businesses.
“To build Australia as an energy superpower, we also need to prepare our state vocational education centres, universities, and businesses to train and develop the renewable energy workforce of the future.”
Quotes attributable to Sanaya Khisty – Head of Strategy and Government Relations 5B
“5B is a proud Australian manufacturer of modular solar farms that are faster and safer to deploy. Our proprietary technology has been a game changer for how solar farms are built in Australia and around the world.
“We are living proof of the solar innovation opportunities highlighted in this report, which is an area of competitive advantage for Australia, with a long road ahead.
“Many of the experts in our Adelaide Manufacturing Centre of Excellence have transitioned from the automotive sector into solar and have been instrumental in developing a globally competitive product.
“This report’s policy recommendations provide a blueprint to keep homegrown companies in Australia.
“It builds on the Albanese government’s recent Solar Sunshot announcement, which recognises the strategic importance of domestic manufacturing capability, particularly in priority sectors like renewable energy.”
