South Australia to continue as the clean energy powerhouse for the nation says Pacific Hydro

Recent renewable energy announcements by the South Australian Government are set to further strengthen the State's reputation as the green capital of Australia and the clean energy powerhouse of the nation, said Australian leading renewable energy company Pacific Hydro.

"South Australia's announcement to increase its renewable energy production target to 3 per cent by 2020 creates an inviting environment for companies like Pacific Hydro to make significant new investments", said Pacific Hydro General Manager Australia/Pacific, Mr Lane Crockett.

"The South Australian Government is to be congratulated for its forward thinking approach to investment opportunities that will not only support significant growth in regional job opportunities but also help to protect our environment."

South Australia is recognised as having a world class wind resource as well as significant opportunities for traditional geothermal and solar thermal energies which could provide new base load power.

"Commitments like those we've seen from the South Australian Government this week coupled with the increase to the Federal Renewable Energy Target (RET) to 20 per cent by 2020 create new exciting opportunities for Australia and make this World Environment Day (June 5) one to be celebrated", added Mr Crockett.

Pacific Hydro is currently constructing the 57MW Clements Gap wind farm in South Australia's mid north and is investigating other wind energy and geothermal opportunities within the State.

Under the RET legislation Pacific Hydro is looking to move forward with 600MW of projects which will create $2 billion of investment into new clean energy in Australia and thousands of jobs mainly in regional areas in areas such as road building, concreting, steel fixing and steel fabrication.

Pacific Hydro is an Australian company privately owned by around 4 million superannuates. Its projects around the world have already abated over 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas and produce energy equivalent to the needs of around 500,000 homes annually.