The Prime Minister visited the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales to introduce the Solar SunShot program, emphasizing the need to bolster domestic solar manufacturing. This initiative is particularly crucial as despite one in three Australian households having solar panels, only 1% of them are currently made within the country. The focus of the program will be on transforming the site of the closed Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook into a solar manufacturing hub, intending to create new job opportunities for workers in the region as traditional coal-related industries decline.
The Solar SunShot program is envisioned as a strategic move to ensure that coal-reliant communities like Muswellbrook and Singleton are not left behind as the country transitions towards renewable energy sources. Anthony Albanese, commenting on the initiative, stressed the importance of securing alternative, high-paying, and sustainable employment opportunities for workers in regions affected by the closures of power stations and mines. The plan also involves collaborating with private entities, as evidenced by a partnership between the Liddell site owner, AGL, and solar startup SunDrive to explore the transformation of the power station into a solar panel manufacturing facility.
Vincent Allen, CEO of SunDrive, highlighted the abundant mineral reserves in Australia essential for solar panel production, advocating for the benefits of domestic manufacturing in reducing import costs. The Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes, lauded the government's swift action in announcing the solar manufacturing plan post-Liddell's closure, foreseeing positive economic impacts for the local community and businesses. However, Hawes cautioned that a comprehensive approach is necessary to navigate the transition away from coal, emphasizing the importance of reskilling energy sector employees for future opportunities in renewable energy industries.
The Solar SunShot program, developed in conjunction with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), will explore opportunities to enhance solar technology innovation and the domestic supply chain. Despite the positive reception of the solar manufacturing funding, there are calls for the government to align its investment in renewables with a more decisive shift away from coal and gas projects, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding Australia's energy transition.