Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group
With support through the Commonwealth “Regional Sustainability Planning” project, University College London’s International Energy Policy Institute, the South Australian Department of State Development, Adelaide University’s Centre for Energy Technology, the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group is exploring opportunities to grow the renewable energy, low carbon and clean tech sectors in the region.
The first stage of this work has found that the Upper Spencer Gulf has considerable opportunity to capitalise on its strengths and achieve growth in these new sectors that will help diversify the local economy, create jobs and increase prosperity to the region.
Community and business have already demonstrated that they are keen to progress a renewable energy future for the region. The community has consistently indicated support for renewables and there is growing interest and activity from businesses in the region in seeking energy efficiency improvements.
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLEAN TECH IN THE UPPER SPENCER GULF
There are several businesses that already support the renewable industry in the region, and they will form an important base for the growth of renewables into the future. The three large town centres, coupled with heavy industry and a range of complementary specialisations, will provide the critical mass for growth in these sectors.
Whilst the national policy context still promotes the uptake of renewable energy and other enabling policies, a substantial review of this policy environment over the past year has created considerable uncertainty and risk in the renewable energy investment market. At a state level however, the Government of South Australia continues to be strongly supportive of significant renewable energy investment, and in policies that support the Upper Spencer Gulf.
Within the Upper Spencer Gulf itself challenges exist in relation to skills and infrastructure capacity that will need to be addressed if the region is able to take full advantage of opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
Initial recommendations focus on the potential for the region to capitalise on short term deployment of large scale solar and wind initiatives; to support research and demonstration of emerging renewable technologies and to prepare and support local business and communities to take advantage of local growth in the renewable energy sector.