The Hunter's net zero future
The Hunter Region is well placed to lead Australia’s shift to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging industries. The region’s strengths lie in the upper and lower Hunter's diversity: a skilled workforce, established infrastructure and thriving urban centres.
Clean energy industries and projects
The Hunter is already seeing promising developments in growth industries.
Renewables
Australia is a step closer to manufacturing more reliable renewables at home. The $1 billion Solar Sunshot was created to manufacture more reliable renewables onshore. Australia has always been a solar powerhouse and one in three Australian households have solar – the highest take-up in the world.
Hunter regional profile
Power stations: Several high-carbon facilities, including 3 coal-fired power stations and 17 safeguard facilities.
Transition timeframe: All coal-fired power stations projected to close by 2033 (Eraring 2027, Bayswater 2033, Vales Point 2033).
Human resources: Workers in the region, especially around Muswellbrook and Scone, have jobs highly compatible with clean energy industries.
Infrastructure: Strong existing and proposed transport infrastructure, particularly its large regional airport and port.
Support for workers
The Australian Government aims to make sure workers and communities are supported when major facilities, like coal-fired power stations, close and make sure downside impacts are minimised. Policies like the Energy Industry Jobs Plan help guarantee that workers and eligible contractors are fully supported in their transition away from emissions-intensive work.
Career guidance
There are on-the-ground supports in the Hunter to help people find new job opportunities in the Hunter.
Ausindustry
Ausindustry has a regional on-ground network working directly with businesses in the regions, supporting workers in the region to find work in net zero aligned jobs and supporting businesses to employ workers.
Regional Workforce Transition Officers
Regional Workforce Transition Officers (RWTOs) help business, industry, and communities, navigate and coordinate the transition to net zero.
Transition Support Network
An on-the-ground Transition Support Network that assists retrenched workers to find a new job.
The Australia-wide network also helps employers though the retrenchment process, including how they can meet their obligations and provide their workers with the support they need.
Education and research
Vocational qualifications
TAFE NSW is establishing a Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the Tighes Hill campus in Newcastle.
Postgrad study
The University of Newcastle offers postgraduate qualifications in clean energy. Courses cover technology, policy and management in this field.
Research fellowships
A collaboration between government, industry and higher education is offering fellowships to accelerate commercialisation of recycling and clean energy research.
Most powerful battery connected to grid as battery storage demand grows
This month marked a milestone in Australia’s energy transition, with our most powerful battery unit connected to the main grid.
Eraring consultation submissions published
The Authority has published written submissions from the EIJP public consultation process for Eraring.
Innovative energy storage in the Hunter
Allegro Energy, located in NSW’s Hunter Valley, has developed Australia’s first locally manufactured microemulsion flow battery.
Consultations and feedback
Learn about consultations on the decisions that will shape the Hunter’s future.
Review of the Energy Industry Jobs Plan – submissions published
Consultations for the review of the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) have come to an end and the written submissions have now been published on our consultation hub.
Eraring consultation submissions published
The Authority has published written submissions from the EIJP public consultation process for Eraring.
About the net zero transition
What is net zero?
Learn about Australia’s net zero transition, why it’s happening and the Australian Government’s plans to get there.
Policies and programs
The Australian Government supports workers, communities and workers through a large number of policies, programs, services and other initiatives.
About the Net Zero Economy Authority
We ensure the workers, industries and regional communities that have powered Australia for generations can seize the opportunities of Australia’s net zero transformation.
Contact us
Have questions, feedback or want to connect?
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands encompassed by the area now known as the Hunter Region, including the Awabakal, Biripi, Darkinjung, Geawegal, Wonarua and Worimi peoples, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge their enduring connection to the land, waterways and culture and their significant role in the history and future of the Hunter region.