27 February 2024
There's no doubt the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland are viewed as international exemplars in transition and the LVA was pleased to host delegates from both Germany and Brunei during February.
GERMANY
Parliamentary State Secretary from the German Federal Government Anette Kramme MP (above - fourth from the left) led a delegation to the Latrobe Valley, visiting the ENGIE Australia & New Zealand's Hazelwood mine site and TAFE Gippsland's Morwell campus.
Germany's renewable energy sector is one of the most innovative and successful in the world. The Energiewende (German for energy turnaround) is Germany's energy transition to a low carbon, environmentally sound, reliable, and affordable energy supply. Based mainly on renewables including wind, biomass, solar and hydro, the system prioritises energy efficiency and energy demand management.
The visit was a terrific opportunity to share experiences and insights with a high-level delegation from Europe. Landform rehabilitation that aligns with community values and a deep investment in skills and education are definite priorities both here in Gippsland and in Germany.
BRUNEI
The LVA was pleased to welcome a delegation of climate change officials from Brunei Darussalam to the region and host them at Lardner Park in West Gippsland.
Brunei has a high reliance on energy from fossil fuels, particularly gas, and is aiming for a power generation mix of 30% renewable energy by 2035. With the common connection of sustainability and transition underpinning the visit, delegates were joined in discussions organised by representatives from the LVA, TAFE Gippsland, Wellington Shire Council, the Gippsland Climate Change Network, Elecsome, and Lardner Park. The range of topics covered everything from renewable energy policy to economic diversification and workforce transition to jobs for the future.
The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to hear about the planning that is occurring to develop the Lardner Park Renewables Demonstration Precinct which aims to transform the venue into a state-of-the-art educational and demonstration hub for renewable energy.
The project is designed to serve as a model for sustainable energy education and industry transition in the Gippsland region and once completed will feature interactive exhibits, workshops, and community events focused on various renewable technologies like solar, wind, and bioenergy.
TRANSITION PLAN
Each time an international delegation comes to Gippsland it's an opportunity to showcase the region's progress to the rest of the world.
Both delegations were extremely interested in Gippsland's history of energy production, our journey towards a net zero economy, and the innovation and collaboration that's occurring to get us there. It provided a great opportunity for LVA's CEO Chris Buckingham to share with the delegates the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan, an update on its implementation, and agreed outcomes for the region.
Photo above – German delegation visiting Hazelwood mine site.. LVA CEO Chris Buckingham (left), Parliamentary State Secretary Anette Kramme MP (fourth from left).
Photo below – Members of the Brunei delegation inspect Lardner Park’s floating solar project.
