NEW SOUTH WALES IS REAPING THE REWARDS of smart public investment in clean energy after attracting huge private investment interest from its first Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the state’s Central West.
Today, energy minister Matt Kean is announcing $79 million for the New England Energy Zone, which comes after the first Renewable Energy Zone attracted $38 billion in investor interest – over nine times what the government had expected.
“This huge response reflects the on-going strong position of the renewable energy industry to attract investment off the back of good policy. The result will be new jobs, more investment flowing into the economy and helping NSW tackle climate change. It is a win-win,” said Climate Council CEO Amanda Mckenzie.
Once completed, the Central West zone alone is expected to bring 450 construction jobs to the region and generate enough electricity to power 1.3 million homes.
“The states and territories are leading the charge in tackling climate change and showing that they are serious about protecting Australians from worsening extreme weather,” said Ms McKenzie.
“There is a major opportunity right now for the NSW government to invest in a clean-jobs recovery, driving further private investment, creating jobs, and helping to protect communities in NSW, especially across the regions,” she said.
“Economic recovery spending should set us up for the future by tackling longer-term challenges like climate change,” said Ms McKenzie.
“NSW has just come through its worst bushfire season on record, which destroyed 2,439 homes, burned through over 80% of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and tragically claimed 242 lives, both from the fires and the smoke. It underlines why economic recovery priorities must also involve tackling climate change,” she said.
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