Local Renewable Energy Zone to be established in Townsville with $40 million investment

As part of Premier Steven Miles’ first budget, Townsville is set to receive an investment of $40 million for the Local Renewable Energy Zone pilot project.

Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni

As part of Premier Steven Miles’ first budget, Townsville is set to receive an investment of $40 million for the Local Renewable Energy Zone (LREZ) pilot project.

Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni said the project will see how units and renters can share in using power from local rooftops and batteries and then participating in the transition.

With Energy Queensland’s local network-connected batteries, the LREZ will be established in Townsville to help the community generate more renewable energy, store it and share locally across the already existing electricity grid.

Townsville is one of two LREZ projects being funded by the Miles budget, with the announcement of Caloundra last week as another location.

Mr de Brenni said Local Renewable Energy Zones are a new initiative for the Queensland Government and will mean that “everybody in Townsville eventually will be able to participate in the renewable energy revolution.”

Man fixing solar panels to a roof

“This is a $40 million dollar commitment to the people of Townsville and it’s happening because local members Scott [Stewart], Aaron [Harper] and Les [Walker] have made sure that we are delivering and continuing to deliver for residents in their community,” he said.

“Local Renewable Energy Zones work by harnessing the great Queensland sunshine, rooftop solar, community batteries and putting downwards pressure on household power rises.”

The initiative is open for expressions of interest, with 550 Townsville residents to be part of the first wave of local renewable energies.

“If we can deliver a net-zero power bill, that is our goal. We’ve modelled the Local Renewable Energy Zones to potentially save some households up to $100 a month off their power bills.”

Mr de Brenni said that with more than 600,000 Queenslanders renting their homes, the government is hoping to ensure households that have not previously had access to cheaper electricity generated through rooftop solar will now be able to access the benefits.

“It will be just as if they had solar on their roof without having to convince their landlord to invest in that property,” he said.

Wayne Smith from the Smart Energy Council said the announcement was a great day for Townsville.

“Queensland is actually the first state in Australia to deliver local renewable energy designs,” he said.

“The significance of the announcement today sort of puts the consumer, it puts you right at the centre of the energy market, and right at the centre of energy policies and it puts a cost of living relief right at the centre of energy policy as well.”

“We’ve got a situation where through the Local Renewable Energy Zones, we can get more solar, more battery storage and reliable renewable energy again and again and again.”

Energy Queensland chief executive Peter Price said the projects in Townsville and Caloundra will provide valuable insights into paving the way for Queensland’s energy transition.

“Our local network-connected batteries, co-ordinated with home battery systems, hot water, solar and EV’s, will enable Queenslanders to become active participants in our shared energy system,” he said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise or electricity grid putting the customer at the centre and deliver the clean energy we need to achieve these renewable energy targets.”

Locals can register their interest to participate at: www.energex.com.au/lrez

Originally published as Local Renewable Energy Zone to be established in Townsville with $40 million investment