Industrial Transition and DecarbonisationSACOME recommends that consideration be given to the broader civic infrastructure requirements of the green industrial transformation to inform ‘whole of supply chain’ infrastructure planning
The South Australian Government has committed to the objectives of industrial transformation and decarbonisation, as set out in the South Australian Economic Statement released by the Malinauskas Government in March 2023 which aims to ‘capitalise on the green energy transition’.
SACOME member company, SIMEC Mining, has made significant investments in infrastructure to decarbonise its operations and facilitate a ‘green transition’ of its industrial activities consistent with the State’s policy agenda. SACOME recommends that consideration be given to the broader civic infrastructure requirements of the green industrial transformation to inform ‘whole of supply chain’ infrastructure planning. These major investments in new infrastructure, plant and equipment demonstrates the capitalintensive nature of transitioning heavy industry away from its traditional use of fossil fuels and toward renewable power and greater process efficiency. The timeframe is a critical consideration, as the sooner green hydrogen is available for wide-scale use by industry, the sooner emissions reduction targets can be achieved. Accordingly, the timely implementation of policy measures, planning and investment decisions relevant to the hydrogen supply chain is key. Development of civic infrastructure in Whyalla and the Upper Spencer Gulf remains an issue of importance, noting that SIMEC intends to increase its workforce by 500-600 people in the short term; and the Hydrogen Jobs Plan estimates workforce growth of an additional 5000-6000 people over a similar timeframe. Regional growth of this scale necessitates investment in a broad range of infrastructure to support increased population. |