SA Labor looks to generate 75 percent of state energy from renewable sources if re-elected

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill will seek to generate 75 percent of the state’s power from renewable energy sources within the next eight years if re-elected next month.

Mr Weatherill is expected to today announce the controversial move to set a new renewable energy target by 2025 as part of the SA Labor election campaign.

Under the current government South Australia is on-track towards meeting a 50 percent target that was set in September 2014, with 48.9 percent of state energy currently being created from green sources.

The state government has been widely criticised for its move towards renewable energy, particularly in light of increasing power prices and the 2016 statewide blackout.

Despite that, Mr Weatherill believes the move can translate into cheaper pricing while also attracting global investors to South Australia.

“Our projects with Tesla’s Elon Musk have generated global headlines,” he told The Advertiser.

“The world is now looking to SA, and we’re sending yet another signal to renewable energy leaders their investment is welcome in our state.”

The announcement will come a day after the Premier also announced he plans to invest $35 million in expanding South Australia’s existing fibre Internet network if re-elected, in order to bring state web speeds in line with “the fastest in the world”.

The ultra-fast Internet plan will look to extend the government’s GigCity network and open up existing infrastructure to multiple Internet providers to offer cheaper services.