Premier Peter Malinauskas inks clean energy deal with California

The Premier has hailed his deal with the government in charge of the world’s fifth largest economy as a historic collaboration.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has inked a clean energy deal with California – the world’s fifth-biggest economy and a fellow world leader in renewable power.

In a meeting in Sacramento with Acting California Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Mr Malinauskas signed a letter of co-operation billed as a “historic” collaboration to advance the states’ “shared leadership in renewable energy and clean hydrogen technology”.

In the first leg of his 10-day trip to the United States, Mr Malinauskas trumpeted the partnership as “a significant step forward for our two states”.

California has been deemed a National Hydrogen Hub, with $1.2bn ploughed into accelerating the development and deployment of renewable hydrogen.

SA is building a $593m hydrogen power plant at Whyalla, which includes the world’s largest hydrogen electrolyser and is expected to open in early 2026.

Premier Peter Malinauskas inks the deal with Tanya Bennett (right), Consul-General of Australia in Los Angeles, Eleni Kounalakis (left), Lieutenant Governor of California, and signing the document is Liane Randolph, California Air Resources Board Chair. Picture: Supplied

All smiles as the Premier presents the done deal. Picture: Supplied

Premier Peter Malinauskas with Tanya Bennett (left), and Eleni Kounalakis (right). Picture: Supplied

Under the agreement forged in Sacramento on Wednesday (early Thursday morning SA time), California and SA will work together on projects including:

DEVELOPING world-leading clean, renewable hydrogen projects and scaling production for use and export.

ADVANCING large-scale renewable energy generation and storage, such as wind, solar, batteries and long-duration energy storage.

INTEGRATING renewable energy into power grids and advancing the clean energy transition.

SUPPORTING electrification and decarbonisation of buildings, industry and transport, including vehicle to power grid technology.

Premier Peter Malinauskas atop a wind turbine at a wind farm outside Port Augusta in February. Picture: Supplied

Mr Malinauskas said SA and the western US powerhouse of California had many shared interests, plus had plentiful solar, wind and critical mineral resources.

“We both enjoy a Mediterranean climate, we have shared values and we both have ambitions to lead the world in decarbonisation,” he said.

“We are both already leaders in our respective nations when it comes to renewable

energy, and we both share a commitment to advance clean hydrogen technology.

“It just makes sense that two global leaders in renewable energy like South Australia and California should work together to advance our shared interests in clean energy to advance our states’ economies and the world’s drive towards decarbonisation.”

Tuesday’s federal budget pumped $15bn into encouraging investment in hydrogen production and critical minerals processing, offering to lock in subsidies for more than a decade to back new producers.

In his fifth overseas trip as Premier, Mr Malinauskas will meet with US government and defence industry leaders during the remainder of the visit.

This will be ahead of Adelaide-based construction of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines by joint builders ASC, formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation, and Osborne Naval Shipyard neighbour BAE Systems Australia.

Originally published as Premier Peter Malinauskas inks clean energy deal with California