Background

The Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 (Act) regulates and licences large-scale hydrogen and renewable energy projects across South Australia.

To support the operation of the Act, the department has developed the Environmental Liability Management policy to ensure that, by undertaking authorised operations under the Act, any environmental and rehabilitation liability arising from such operations are able to be satisfied.

In developing the policy, including the financial assurance framework, consideration was given to the department's existing management of environmental liabilities, as well as financial assurance frameworks and case studies relating to regulated activities across Australia and internationally, including wind, solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and hydrogen.

What is being decided?

Stakeholder feedback was sought on the proposed policy, its design, how it will operate and the framework for financial assurance requirements.

Submissions are now closed

Initial consultation closed 5 December 2025.

Final consultation closed 19 June 2026.

  • This consultation sought feedback on the final policy which incorporated stakeholder feedback from the initial consultation, where appropriate, as well as on the independently developed Rehabilitation Liability Estimate calculator.
  • Feedback was also sought on the guidelines for agreements for decommissioning on non-designated land.

Next steps

The Environmental Liability Management policy will come into effect from 1 August 2026.