If you didn't know it already, there's no better place to be than the Hunter after Energy Minister Matt Kean announced plans to turn NSW into a renewable energy superpower.
ADVANCED: University of Newcastle is engaged in groundbreaking renewable hydrogen research and the Hunter has green aluminium and steel industries. Pictured is Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and Dr Andrew Maddocks with their 'hydro harvester'.
The NSW Government's Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap plans to fast track 12GW of renewable energy and 2GW of storage and transmission by 2030, creating more than 9000 jobs and attracting $32 billion of private investment in the process.
The Hunter is perfectly positioned to benefit. By boosting the amount of renewable energy generated in NSW, this roadmap will transform the Hunter and catapult us into the future as a global clean energy advanced manufacturing hub.
As Beyond Zero Emissions' Million Jobs Plan shows, many more downstream jobs are created when electricity systems are powered by abundant, affordable renewable energy.
This means that on top of the 9000 renewable energy zone construction and operational jobs announced, there will be thousands of manufacturing jobs for the Hunter.
The NSW Industry Opportunity Report was also launched and highlights the huge economic opportunities for the state in green hydrogen, green ammonia, green aluminium and green steel - industries that the Hunter already has strong foundations for.
Read the full opinion from Sam Mella, Hunter Engagement Lead for Beyond Zero Emissions