This will bring the total new storage capacity supported in South Australia to at least 600MW.
Notably, grid infrastructure expansion as part of this agreement will help facilitate the state government’s goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2027; If achieved, South Australia would be one of the first states in the country to do so.
When signing the agreement, South Australia must also commit to delivering a Hydrogen Business Plan; create its own network reliability mechanism and benchmark to replace the national framework; and working with the federal government to implement policies, practices, and processes that improve community participation.
Capacity Investment Scheme to help roll out South Australia’s infrastructure
The deal also ties in with the Albanian government’s plan to build and operate an additional 32 GW of renewable energy generation and energy storage across the country by 2030. This is supported through its Capacity Investment Scheme. 40 GW of solar and wind projects.
Crucially, to achieve this goal, the rapid expansion of energy infrastructure must take place in an already aging system, which can often be expensive and complicated by several obstacles. However, bilateral agreements are specifically designed to overcome the barriers that developers, communities and governments face in implementing renewable energy projects.
While South Australia is the first state to formalize the agreement, agreements are being finalized with other states and territories.
South Australia’s climate change and energy minister Chris Bowne welcomed the deal, saying it would “give confidence to the market to build new projects”.
“It is good to give confidence to the market to build new projects; “It’s great to sign an agreement to work with South Australia on practical steps to make the most of this energy transformation for South Australian workers, communities and industry,” Bowne said.
“The Albanian government’s Reliable Renewable Energy Plan is the only expert-backed plan to deliver the clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system Australians deserve. This contrasts sharply with Peter Dutton’s anti-renewable nuclear plan – which remains unspent and unexplained.”