Queensland’s shift to renewables at the expense of fossil fuels under an ambitious energy plan by 2035 has been lauded by stakeholders across Australia as modernising the state’s energy sector.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the $62 billion Queensland energy and jobs plan at the CEDA State of the State address on Wednesday.
It hinges on $62 billion-worth of investment in both the public and private sectors to 2035, and includes a $4 billion commitment by the state government over the next four years.
At the forefront of their targets is 70 per cent of Queensland’s energy supply from renewables by 2032, and 80 per cent by 2035.
A new dam near Mackay will be constructed to supply half of Queensland’s energy with the premier labelling it “the battery of the north.”
Another, that will deliver two gigawatts of 24-hour storage, is to be constructed west of Gympie with completion slated for 2030.
Following Ms Palaszcuk’s address, the Queensland Conservation Council said the 10-year energy plan is a turning point for the state’s energy sector.
“This plan provides the certainty that energy developers and regional industry needs to start planning their clean energy future,” spokesperson Maggie Mckeown said.
Regional Queensland is the big winner with 100,000 new jobs expected in the state by 2040, the majority of which will be in regional areas.
The premier said 95 per cent of investment would be in regional Queensland with the state’s publicly-owned coal-fired power stations – which are all in regional settings – to stop reliance on burning coal by 2035.
“The Queensland way of life and natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree and the Wet Tropics are vulnerable to climate change, fuelled by burning coal and gas,” Australian Conservation Fund chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy said.
“These plans will help combat climate change and give business and workers the confidence they crave and put Queensland on the way to becoming a clean energy superpower.”
Non-for-profit group Solar Citizens said early investment in two new pumped hydros at the west of Gympie and Mackay provides energy security.
“Pumped hydro is a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to powering the State with 100 per cent clean energy, but like all projects we need to make sure that the sites selected are the least impactful to the environment and our waterways,” deputy director Stephanie Gray said.
But opposition MP Pat Weir noted there remains some queries with the plan.
“Queenslander’s would still have a few questions to ask,” he said,
“(They) will want to see some KPIs, they will want to see a funding model, and they would like to see a guarantee of affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity supply.”
© AAP 2022
