The ACT now has infrastructure in place to achieve 100% renewable electricity in 2020 and beyond, the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury announced today.
Through the ACT’s successful reverse auction scheme, the Hornsdale 3 wind farm in South Australia will today begin its contract. It is the last renewable infrastructure contracted for the ACT to reach 100% renewable electricity.
The 109-megawatt wind farm will generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of around 58,000 homes in the ACT every year over the next 20 years.
“This is a huge achievement in consolidating the ACT’s reputation as Australia’s renewable energy capital and is a significant milestone in achieving our ultimate goal of zero net emissions by 2045,” Minister Rattenbury said today.
“The Hornsdale 3 windfarm is the last of our 10 large scale renewable energy generators that are spread across the country and are helping to power the ACT on clean energy at low prices.
“With our recently announced new renewable electricity auction, we are now in a position where we are ready to maintain 100% renewable electricity from 2020 into the future. Reaching this feat has proven that climate change action is both achievable and affordable.
“Our four renewable electricity auctions have also helped bring in more than $500 million worth of investment into the ACT region and help make us a centre for high-skilled renewable sector jobs.
“The work isn’t done yet though. Last month’s release of the ACT’s Climate Change Strategy and Canberra’s Living Infrastructure Plan outline how we will become a more sustainable and liveable city, while adapting to rising temperatures.”
