The establishment of an independent statutory authority to oversee the Australia’s renewable energy transition is one step closer, with the senate passing the Net Zero Authority Bill on 23 August 2024.
The Federal Government said that Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) will ensure that workers and communities who have powered Australia for generations can seize the opportunities of the country’s net zero transformation.
The Authority will work with communities, state, territory and local governments, regional bodies, unions, industry, investors, First Nations groups and others to take advantage of these opportunities.
It will coordinate with them through this change and facilitate the jobs and benefits of the economic transformation that come with moving to net zero, whether it is retraining and redeploying workers in traditional energy industries or cutting red tape in clean energy investment.
The Federal Government said that it is investing in Australia’s potential as a renewable energy superpower and making sure that regional areas benefit.
More than 150 countries have now committed to net zero by 2050, including major economies and many of Australia’s trading partners, and the Federal Government said that with Australia’s renewable energy abundance, skilled workers and world class technologies, investors around the world want to invest in Australian industries.
The Net Zero Economy Authority is integral to the Federal Government’s A Future Made in Australia vision.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said that the passing of the legislation marks an important step forward in the nation’s successful transformation to a net zero economy.
“These bills represent our commitment to ensuring no region, no community and no worker is left behind.
“This is about building the industries and creating the jobs that underpin our future prosperity.”
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said, “The Authority will have the job of looking after the workers in regions like the Hunter, Central Queensland, Gippsland in Victoria and Collie in Western Australia who are at the core of this transformation.
“It will be a one-stop shop for new industries coming to regional Australia to create jobs and investment and for the workers already there to prepare for the jobs for the future.”
Industry response
Transgrid welcomed the Bill through the Senate as it accelerates delivery of critical infrastructure to enable Australia’s clean energy transition.
Transgrid CEO, Brett Redman, said, “Over the next decade, Transgrid is investing $16.5 billion in a 2,500km energy superhighway of transmission lines and infrastructure to connect large-scale renewable generation to the grid and accelerate the Commonwealth Government’s clean energy vision.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering this nation-critical infrastructure including the EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West projects, providing a major boost to regional communities and workers with jobs, skills development, education and training, and support for local businesses.”
Mr Redman said that Transgrid needs hundreds of highly-skilled workers and technical expertise to build and operate the future grid and deliver access to cheaper and cleaner renewable energy to millions of households and businesses.
“For example, over the next five years, we expect to increase our substation technician workforce by 40 per cent, which provides immense opportunities particularly for regional workers.
“Transgrid is committed to retraining and equipping local workers to be a part of Australia’s renewable energy transition.”
EnergyConnect is currently delivering Australia’s first training initiative to grow the country’s own transmission line construction workforce.
The utility said that under its existing Legacy 100 program, local workers are being trained to become riggers and doggers, boosting jobs and skills in regional New South Wales, and creating the future workforce in transmission line construction as the clean energy transition accelerates.
Transgrid is also supporting local jobs by investing in education and training through partnerships with regional universities and Regional Development Australia to help create new jobs, develop skills, and attract new workers.
“The rapid growth of the energy transmission sector is driving demand for highly-skilled workers and technical expertise, particularly in regional locations where there are plenty of workers readily available with highly-transferrable skills,” Mr Redman said.
“The Net Zero Economy Authority will offer opportunities for Transgrid to bring on a new workforce that has energy experience and wants to continue to be a part of Australia’s energy future.
“Transgrid shares the Commonwealth Government’s vision to ensure the workers and communities who have powered Australia for generations can seize the opportunities of the country’s net zero transformation.”
Featured image: jejim/shutterstock.com
