The Queensland Government will invest half a billion dollars to propel the development of large-scale solar and wind projects, to help the state meets its renewable energy targets, and its commitment to maintain a majority share in energy generation.
The investment capitalises on Queensland’s abundant sun and wind resources, and will significantly contribute to the state’s future renewable energy requirements of 70 per cent by 2032.
It will support the development phase of up to 2.3GW of solar and wind projects in Central Queensland, delivering enough clean energy to power the equivalent of every household in Brisbane.
The major wind and solar projects will also support up to 4,000 Queensland jobs throughout the duration of the projects’ construction, to be built in Central Queensland.
The investment will be provided to Queensland government owned CleanCo, with projects to be connected via the state’s renewable energy backbone, the Queensland SuperGrid.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said Central Queensland’s biggest industries, including mining, manufacturing, and agriculture have all committed to reducing emissions.
“This clean energy will enable those businesses to plan for future growth.”
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the investment reduces embedded emissions in products manufactured in regional Queensland, meaning heavy industry remains highly competitive in the global marketplace.
“We are inviting the world’s largest companies to call regional Queensland home by offering the best place to do business, especially when it comes to delivering clean, affordable and reliable power.
“As the world focusses on renewable energy, Queensland is leading the way, committing to enshrine into law our renewable targets, that will see the Sunshine State deliver 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035.”
CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe said Central Queensland is the state’s industrial powerhouse and it needs reliable, affordable, clean energy solutions to drive future prosperity and industry development.
“This $500m investment will accelerate the development of a substantial program of local renewable energy projects which will provide much needed capacity to the SuperGrid, and enable CleanCo to provide our customers with unique, sustainable retail product offerings and support them on their decarbonisation journeys.”
The development phase includes completing environmental, engineering and procurement plans, obtaining all approvals and includes First Nations engagement and partnership, community and stakeholder planning and approval for all transmission connections required to ready the projects for construction.
