Australia can power the electrification of its heavy industries while simultaneously protecting nature and supporting regional communities’ coordinated energy planning, according to a new report by Monash University’s Climateworks Centre.
The report highlights that industrial electrification serves as a crucial mechanism for Australia to reach its net-zero emissions targets and bolster economic performance.
Using Central Queensland’s Gladstone region as a primary case study, the research demonstrates that ambitious climate, environmental, and agricultural goals can be pursued concurrently without forcing a trade-off against industrial development.
According to the findings, Queensland can safeguard its top 25 per cent of high-value biodiversity zones while delivering the renewable energy infrastructure required for expanding electricity demand at just a 1 per cent increase in total system costs.
Additionally, landholders statewide stand to earn at least AU$1.2 billion from renewable generation and AU$300 million from hosting transmission lines between now and 2050, with less than 0.2 per cent of agricultural output affected by new renewable installations.
Climateworks Centre CEO Anna Skarbek AM said planning systems allow regional areas to establish new revenue streams, manage water, and protect threatened species alongside energy expansion.
“Our modelling found Australia can meet ambitious climate, biodiversity and agricultural goals while supplying sufficient renewable energy to electrify industry,” Skarbek said.
“Better planning systems can protect threatened species, restore land, manage water, and create new revenue streams for regional communities.”
To bridge current institutional disconnects, Climateworks recommends establishing formal Industrial Precinct Energy Plans to map future demand, supply, and transmission across heavy industrial hubs.
The report also advocates for scenario-based spatial modelling to evaluate environmental and agricultural impacts prior to committing to major infrastructure investments.
Alexis Demetrious, lead author and Climateworks Centre Senior Project Manager, noted that heavy industrial regions contribute approximately AU$166 billion to national GDP and support thousands of jobs.
“Affordable, reliable renewable energy will give industry the confidence to invest in these technologies, and strengthen long-term competitiveness in a decarbonising global economy,” Demetrious said.
