Federal election 2019: Bill Shorten to unveil Spencer Gulf ‘Renewable Energy Zone’ with scope for 1300 jobs

Labor Leader Bill Shorten is visiting South Australia today to announce a “Renewable Energy Zone” for the Spencer Gulf that he says could create 1300 jobs in emerging industry.

• Latest election news in our daily blog
• Analysis: Turning point as Bill cuts through with ordinary folk
• Daily blog: Pauline Hanson unloads in explosive interview

Labor leader Bill Shorten will visit South Australia today to announce a “Renewable Energy Zone” for the Spencer Gulf that he says could create 1300 jobs in emerging industry.

The zones, a recommendation by the Australian Energy Market Operator, are aimed at focusing investor attention to regions with high potential to grow the renewable energy economy.

In January, The Advertiser outlined almost $13 billion worth of SA renewable energy projects in the pipeline.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten talking with Civmec Construction and Engineering workers in Perth on Tuesday. Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Shorten, who will also visit Whyalla as part of his second visit to the state since the election was called, said he would unlock South Australia’s renewable energy potential.

“The zones are based on an area’s renewable energy potential to bring a strategic approach to developing Australia’s renewable energy industry and delivering our 50 per cent renewable energy target,” Mr Shorten said.

Former PM Kevin Rudd joined the campaign trail for Labor candidates in Sydney on Tuesday. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

“Labor will make the Spencer Gulf region a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), encompassing the stretch from the north of Adelaide, along the Yorke Peninsula, and around the top of the Spencer Gulf down to Whyalla.”

Mr Shorten said the Climate Institute estimated that the zone could support up to 1300 new jobs in renewable energy for people in regional SA.

“These zones will help co-ordinate investment in generation, storage and transmission, and signal to investors the future sites for job-creating projects,” he said.

It would supply cheaper, cleaner, renewable energy, as well as providing a vital source of regional employment, he said. The Spencer Gulf will be the third zone to be announced by Mr Shorten, with similar announcements in Tasmania and WA.

Projects in the Spencer Gulf include a $1 billion energy plan by Sanjeev Gupta at Cultana north of Whyalla and a $680 million renewable energy park in Port Augusta.

Mr Shorten is trying to shift the conversation from the cost of his climate policies towards framing it as an investment.

He has been under pressure to explain the cost to businesses of his 45 per cent emissions reduction target but says this is impossible and companies will choose how they act.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Mr Shorten needed to provide answers after failing to do so during Monday night’s debate.