Resources, Fuels and Clean Technologies
Renewable Energy
Between 2007 and 2025, South Australia’s energy portfolio has fundamentally shifted from a system dominated by coal and gas to one in which wind and solar now provide the majority of annual generation. Coal generation exited the grid entirely in May 2016, gas has transitioned to a firming role, and renewables have become the primary source of supply. The result is one of the fastest energy mix transformations achieved in a developed economy.
Our focus remains strong on large-scale renewable electricity generation and storage, distributed energy resources, energy efficiency and demand management.
We provide strong support for the development of low-carbon technology supply chains by partnering with research institutions and industry stakeholders.
Renewable Energy's Growing Impact in South Australia
Renewable energy transition leader
South Australia is a global leader in integrating wind, solar, and battery energy into its network, with 75 per cent of the state’s energy coming from renewables. We are working towards 100 per cent net renewable energy generation by 2027 and aim to generate 500 per cent of current local grid demand by 2050.
Strong minerals. Strong fundamentals. Strong future.
South Australia is a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction hosting globally significant copper resources (66%) at Olympic Dam and a multi-decade development pipeline across the Gawler Craton, alongside large-scale magnetite iron ore, graphite, cobalt, zircon, uranium, rare-earth elements, and gold.
The state combines established production, advanced projects and substantial exploration upside, underpinned by one of the world’s largest and most accessible drill core libraries. This scale, diversity and depth of data position South Australia as a long-life supplier of both traditional and strategic minerals.
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South Australia’s share of Australia’s mineral resources:
Discover South Australia's significant global and national resources of critical minerals.
Key enablers: Infrastructure & logistics advantage
South Australia sits at the geographic centre of Australia’s mainland logistics network, directly connected by rail, road, gas pipelines, transmission lines and fibre corridors to Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
This central positioning reduces single-point supply-chain risk and enhances export options across multiple ports and markets.
Water
- The proposed Northern Water Project: seawater desalination facility near Whyalla (approximately 200 megaliters per day industrial water capacity in staged delivery)
- Dedicated pipeline corridor to Upper Spencer Gulf industrial users
- Climate-independent supply (decoupled from Murray-Darling Basin allocations)
National heavy-haul and interstate rail infrastructure
- Linking east-west Trans-Australian Railway (over 4,000 kilometres) and north–south freight routes (3,700 kilometres), including direct access to Darwin Port and eastern capitals
- Heavy haul capability supports bulk mineral exports and inbound equipment movement with established logistics operators
Electricity
- Advanced integrated energy systems, combining high renewable penetration, grid-scale storage, interconnection and firming capacity to deliver secure, low-emissions power for industry
Road infrastructure
- Supports equipment mobilisation, workforce logistics and supply-chain redundancy across all mainland jurisdictions
- Direct connection to Stuart Highway (Adelaide-Darwin corridor)
- Augusta Highway linking to eastern states
- Eyre Highway connecting to Western Australia
Gas
- Moomba gas hub - major east coast production centre
- Moomba to Adelaide Pipeline System - supplying industrial users
- Interconnection to the eastern states’ gas markets
- Existing industrial gas load supports transition fuel for mineral processing and firming generation
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
- Demand from industry driven by Federal policy
- Moomba CCS Project – first injection of CO2 in 2024. Up to approximately 1.7 million tonnes of CO₂ per annum in initial phase (7% of South Australia’s total emissions)
- Utilises depleted gas reservoirs within the Cooper Basin for permanent geological storage
- Opportunity for low-carbon fuels production
- Ample storage, including depleted oil and gas reservoirs
- Adaptable infrastructure for global import
Data and AI technology
- Digital capability supports high-productivity, technology-enabled mining and renewable operations
- ElectraNet: design, operate and manage South Australia’s electricity transmission network and infrastructure with more than 2,000 kilometres of optical fibre infrastructure directly integrated within its transmission network
- Satellite-based remote sensing to detect surface mineralogy
Stable & transparent regulatory framework
South Australia offers a stable, investment-ready regulatory environment for renewable energy, mining, Carbon Capture and Storage and hydrogen production underpinned by clear statutory frameworks and strong government support for resource and energy development.
The Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 is a standalone legislation to promote the development and integration of hydrogen and renewable energy in South Australia. The Act aims to support sustainable energy growth, reduce carbon emissions and foster innovation in clean energy technologies.
Credit: Department for Energy and Mining, Remote Area Energy Supply (RAES).
Investment focus areas
- Exploration, extraction and production of mineral resources to assist production of steel and support decarbonisation
- Expanded mineral processing hubs, supporting greater exports of critical minerals higher up the value chain
- Research and development collaboration in minerals processing, manufacturing and industrial decarbonisation
- Global mining equipment, technology and services (METS) partnerships
- Wind and solar farm developments along with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Hydrogen projects
- Low-carbon fuel projects
Useful links
Innovation places
Collaboration is in our DNA here in South Australia. You will have access to some of the best innovation precincts where high-profile businesses, academia, industry bodies and government are co-located and working together.
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Lot Fourteen
Lot Fourteen is a space that fosters collaboration and innovation across sectors and disciplines, including defence and space, artificial intelligence, digital health, machine learning and robotics, cyber security and creative industries.
Business clusters
Our industry clusters provide strong intellectual and research foundations, providing opportunities to share talent, technology and infrastructure.
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Adelaide Airport
With global acknowledgement that aviation is a vital catalyst for economic growth, Airport Business District is a key economic gateway that seamless integrates zones for a range of industries.
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Tonsley Mining Energy Services
The Tonsley innovation district is home to key energy and mining organisations, including CORE Innovation’s satellite office, Onshore Petroleum Centre of Excellence, and the South Australia Drill Core Reference Library, Australian Hydrogen Centre, SIMEC Energy Australia and ZEN Energy, and CMW Geosciences.
Investment opportunities
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Investment: Off-take
Goyder South
Neoen Australia is developing a large-scale hybrid renewable energy project in the Mid North Region.
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Investment: Direct investment
Honeymoon Uranium Project
Participate in the early stages of the new uranium bull market.
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Investment: Brownfield
Quantum Graphite's Uley 2 Project - Graphite
Quantum Graphite's Uley 2 project will focus on ultra high-purity coarse flake graphite of approximately 55,000 tonnes per annum; of this corresponding profile: Medium to Extra-Large Flake - 73% of overall production of gC; Large and Extra-Large Flake purities - 97.2%gC and 97.8%gC respectively; Process Recoveries - > 89% gC.
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Let's talk
Edit Mucsi
Director, Resources, Fuels and Clean Tech
Department of State Development
Contact