After a year of steady progress across a number of fronts, Tasmania’s renewable energy industry has ended the year with an upsurge in activity and progress, paving the way for what promises be an exciting new year in the sector. Here’s a rundown on what we expect will happen in 2021 – there’s a lot planned for next year!

POLICY AND STRATEGY
– The Renewable Energy Coordination Framework to support the 200% renewable energy target (which became law in 2020) will be published for consultation in early 2021
– An independent review and consultation of the Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008, analysing pathways to achieve a target of net zero emissions prior to 2050, will take place in 2021
– The interim Tasmanian Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin Scheme will become operational in 2021, ensuring certainty for the renewable credentials of Tasmanian projects (currently, the majority of Tasmania’s renewable energy generation does not attract renewable energy certificates, and is unable to be traced and verified to the customer as renewable energy)
– A formal scoping study for the development of a Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence will commence in the first quarter of 2021
– Development of a Bioenergy Vision for Tasmania and a gas decarbonisation pathway study will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021

PUMPED HYDRO AND HYDRO
– Initial underwriting options for the Battery of the Nation projects will be scoped by the first quarter of 2021
– As the feasibility study for pumped hydro at Lake Cethana is finalised, community workshops will take place in 2021 in Moina, Lorinna and Sheffield, as well as engagement with local communities and key stakeholders
– Support mechanisms for a proposed upgrade of the Tarraleah scheme in the central highlands will be considered in the first half of 2021 for inclusion by the Special Purpose Vehicle

MARINUS LINK AND NORTH WEST TRANSMISSION DEVELOPMENTS
– A Special Purpose Vehicle to progress Project Marinus to a Final Investment Decision, funded jointly by Tasmanian Government ($39 million) and the Australian Government ($93.9 million), is targeted to be operational by 1 July 2021
– Exhibition of the draft assessment criteria developed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission (North West transmission developments) will close on 4th January 2021
– North West transmission developments – Palmerston to Heybridge: summer surveys (January to March), Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment commences March 2021, evaluation of community and landowner feedback mid 2021, tower locations and heights proposed following landowner and community feedback mid 2021
– North West transmission developments – Staverton to Hampshire Hills: landscape and visual impact montages January 2021, commonwealth-level environmental and cultural heritage assessment process and required approvals in progress, including public submission opportunities.

WIND AND SOLAR PROJECTS
– Completion of Granville Harbour Wind Farm (West Coast) and Cattle Hill Wind Farm (Central Highlands)
– Preparation for construction of Jim’s Plain Renewable Energy Park (Circular head) and Port Latta Wind Farm (Circular Head)
– Ongoing assessment and applications for Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park (Circular Head), Western Plains Wind Farm (Circular Head), Guildford Wind Farm (Waratah-Wynyard), Hellyer Wind Farm (Burnie), and St Patricks Plains Wind Farm (Central Highlands)
TRAINING
– The $16.1 million, 4-year Energising Tasmania training fund will continue to be rolled out

HYDROGEN
– Feasibility for three large scale hydrogen projects, funded by $2.6 million from the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Fund ($50 million over 10 years), and other hydrogen investment projects will progress through the Office of the Coordinator-General
– Successful applicants of the Federal (ARENA) funding round will be selected by mid 2021 – one of the seven projects shortlisted nationally is proposed to be built in Tasmania
– A study on how a hydrogen offtake market can be developed in Tasmania is due to be completed by the end of Q1 2021, and is expected to provide options on potential smaller scale projects
– Final Investment Decision for Fortescue Metals Group’s hydrogen project in 2021

Head to the Future Energy Hub’s website for further information about the Tasmanian renewable energy sector

Image: Beacon Foundation, Cradle Coast Authority, TasNetworks, Granville Harbour Wind Farm staff, and teachers and students from Rosebery and Mountain Heights Schools, at Granville Harbour Wind Farm in November