‘70 per cent by 2032’: Qld ups renewable energy target
A major overhaul of Queensland’s energy sector will involve construction of the ‘world’s biggest’ pumped hydro project. VOTE IN OUR POLL
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A major overhaul of Queensland’s energy sector will cost $62bn over 13 years and involve construction of the “world’s biggest” pumped hydroelectric power plant project, ending the “reliance” on coal in the state’s publicly owned power plants by 2035.
The goals of the Queensland Energy Plan include hitting a new, higher renewable energy target of 70 per cent by 2032, though the state’s emissions reductions target of 30 per cent below 2005 baseline levels will not change.
The targets will be legislated.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released the state’s long-awaited 10-year Queensland Energy Plan at her annual state of the state address on Wednesday afternoon, saying the “race was now on” to secure “clean energy supply chains”.
“We must invest now, not just for our climate,” she said.
“We must address this issue at the same time we focus on new job opportunities to bring everyone along with the clean energy industrial revolution at our doorstep.”
Ms Palaszczuk confirmed Queensland’s plan was to get 70 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2032, and 80 per cent by 2035.
Natural renewable resources are energy sources with an endless supply so they can be continuously replenished.
Some examples of renewable resources include the wind, sun, geothermal heat and water.
Part of the plan will include building two new pumped hydroelectric plants — one west of Mackay and the other at Borumba Dam by 2035.
There will be a new “SuperGrid” built to connect solar, wind, battery and hydrogen generators across the state.
“The super grid brings together all of the elements in the electricity system with the poles and wires that provide Queenslanders with clean, reliable and affordable power for generations,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“That super grid delivers around 1500 kilometres of transmission lines from Brisbane up to North Queensland and out west to Hughenden.”
Publicly owned coal fired power plants, which make up the majority of the state’s coal fired assets, would be “converted” to clean energy hubs from 2027.
And their “reliance” on coal would be stopped by 2035.
Ms Palaszczuk said this would be “done in a measured way”.
“We won’t convert coal power stations until there is replacement firmed generation,” she said.
“We will keep our coal fired power stations as back up capacity until replacement pumped hydro energy storage is operational.
“We will be able to turn the stations back on if something goes wrong.”
The state will also build a “hydrogen gas ready turbine”.
The energy plan will cost an estimated $62bn between now and 2035, with the funds to be spread across state and federal governments and the private sector.
“By 2035 Queensland … will have no regular reliance on coal and be at 80 per cent renewable energy,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“That’s because we will have more pumped hydro energy storage than the rest of Australia combined.
“Today is about being bold with an energy and jobs plan that has tangible aims and palpable outcomes.”
The latest data shows Queensland’s energy mix in 2021/22 was 21.4 per cent renewable, up from 19.6 per cent between August 2020 and July 2021.
The state government has been ramping up its energy-related announcements in the last week, with Ms Palaszczuk travelling out to South Burnett on Monday to reveal a $780m commitment to building Australia’s largest publicly owned wind farm.
The Tarong West Wind Farm in the South Burnett would create enough electricity to power up to 230,000 homes.
At a press conference this morning, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said it would power “the size of the Gold Coast”, and would be the “equivalent of taking 230,000 cars off the road”.
Weâre taking real action on climate change, now. #qldjobs#renewables#climatechangepic.twitter.com/5Y3lBvEmCs
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 27, 2022
He said existing cattle farmers located near the wind farm would be able to operate as usual.
The project will include up to 150 turbines and generate 500MW, with 200 jobs created during the construction phase and 15 ongoing roles when the farm up and running.
Earlier, the Greens said Queensland risked being “laughed out of the room” over its climate policies, with the party urging the Palaszczuk government to accelerate the closure of coal-fired stations and adopt a transition plan for the workforce.
Greens MP Michael Berkman said Queensland risked breaching its Paris Agreement unless it includes the closure of the state’s power stations by 2030.
Originally published as ‘70 per cent by 2032’: Qld ups renewable energy target