NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe will speak about clean energy, jobs and investment in a keynote address in Newcastle.
Ms Sharpe will join lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes, business leaders and community members at City Hall on August 17 to highlight opportunities around the Hunter's renewable energy transition as part of Newcastle council's Empowering Newcastle event series.
Renewable energy experts and representatives from the NSW government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and EnergyCo will join the discussion, sharing details about the Hunter's renewable energy zone and government initiatives.
Ms Sharpe said renewable energy zones were "essential" to providing good, secure jobs for the future.
"Increasing the production of renewable energy as well as access to rooftop solar and batteries is good for the environment as we tackle climate change, will place downward pressure on bills and ensure that our State achieves net zero by 2050," she said.
The event will follow the launch of the Empowering Newcastle event series at City Hall in July where more than 800 people heard from Australian engineer, inventor and renewable energy entrepreneur Saul Griffith on electrifying Newcastle.
The council's Empowering Newcastle program is aimed at supporting residents, businesses, schools and community groups to switch to renewable energy.
City of Newcastle will offer online resources and deliver a free Climate Champions training program to equip people with the skills to deliver electrification campaigns and projects.
The council is also exploring the feasibility of a solar and battery bulk buy program to support the community to buy affordable, quality solar and battery systems.
Cr Nelmes said the Empowering Newcastle event series was a way to encourage the community, business and industry to become involved in the city's energy "transformation".
"Whether you're across the clean energy transition or you're just starting to take an interest, I'd strongly encourage you to be at City Hall on 17 August for this important and timely discussion," she said.
City of Newcastle will also host a roundtable to discuss electric vehicles and low emissions transport on August 8.
