MEMBERS EVENT

Tasmania has long been a beacon of sustainable energy – even when that wasn’t a ‘thing’. It started in the first half of last century with the construction of hydro-electric dams under the guidance of ‘Electric Eric’ (Reece). The dams have resulted in our State reaching the enviable position of having 100% renewable energy generation at the end of 2020 when the Granville Harbour wind farm started up to complement the hydroelectricity. Yes, there has been significant activism against dams (think the Franklin River) but the ones built last century have kept Tasmania’s lights on as well as those in other states, through Basslink.

Other parts of Australia are catching up with the renewables achievements and while Tasmania is targeting reaching 200% renewables through a range of different energy sources, Western Australia is hot on our heels. This is not a race between States (although bragging rights are always good) – it is a race to decarbonise our world.

Tasmania is blessed with renewable energy options – from wind to sun to solar – and now green hydrogen is poised to appear on the scene.

Tasmanian WCEI member Joan McGovern, Principal of communications consultancy Reputation Matters, is also one of five directors of green hydrogen project development company, 123V Tasmanian Hydrogen. 123V is working with partners to develop a heavy vehicle trial in Tasmania to test green hydrogen’s benefit, iron out any wrinkles and hopefully start the decarbonisation of the State’s transport sector. Joan will talk about what is involved in such a trial, why it is important to transition heavy vehicle transport from fossil fuels to renewables and the hurdles that need to be cleared to make it happen.

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