Energy Minister Mick De Brenni says Gladstone Power Station must transition to continue existing as state government launches green energy plan

The State Government will convert publicly owned assets into ‘green energy hubs’ as private power stations, such as Gladstone, have been told their continued existence relies on transitioning too. Find out whether workers who do not wish to take part will be eligible for a redundancy.

The State Government says major employers in Gladstone must transition to renewable energy in the near future to survive and clarified whether workers would be eligible for a redundancy if they don’t follow suit.

The government last week launched its Queensland Energy Plan which will see a $62b overhaul of the sunshine state’s energy sector including construction of the “world’s biggest” pumped hydro-electric power plant near Mackay.

Queensland Energy Minister Mick De Brenni last week visited Stanwell Power Station to guarantee job security for workers at state-owned power stations to reassure them the state government would not “close the gate” at their job sites.

The Gladstone Power Station is Queensland’s largest, employing more than 320 locals. Picture: Liam Kidston

Under the plan, the government will legislate a higher renewable energy target of 70 per cent by 2032 and will end the reliance on the state’s publicly owned coal-fired power stations by 2035.

It will see the state’s coal-fired assets “converted” into clean energy hubs from 2027.

The Gladstone Power Station, which is not publicly-owned, is not tied to the plan but the Energy Minister says its continued existence relies upon its transition, and says the government will support them with infrastructure to do so.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the state government would support major employers in the region to transition away from coal. Picture: Supplied

“There’s significant investment into the Gladstone region under the plan, many hundreds of millions will be funded to support the largest employers such as Rio Tinto who know their continued existence in the region is dependent on clean energy,” Mr De Brenni said.

“The power station provides an important asset to Gladstone, it will need to transition over time and we’ll do work on infrastructure in that region.”

“I think the support we are providing in terms of the transition infrastructure in that community will see the Gladstone Power Station working with us, and CS Energy in particular, to transition in a similar way providing energy security and a future for that workforce too.”

The Gladstone Power Station is Queensland’s largest coal-fired plant, employing more than 320 locals and has remained privately owned since 1994.

Gladstone Power Station general manager Greg Mills says the plant provides a clear future for the industry.

NRG Gladstone Power Station general manager, Greg Mills, said the plant welcomed the state government’s energy and jobs plan.

“The plan gives a clear future for both coal fired power generation and the jobs of power industry employees in Central Queensland,” Mr Mills said.

“It reinforces the importance of assets like the Gladstone Power Station in supporting the transition to renewables in a managed and sensible way.”

But Mr De Brenni told ABC Capricornia last week the state government would not set aside funds for redundancy payouts for workers who did not wish to take new roles when state-owned power stations transition.

After telling ABC Capricornia the state government would not set aside funds for redundancy payouts, Mr De Brenni clarified to this publication that redundancy options aren’t “one size fits all”.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said workers who do not wish to continue with a power station after it transitions would not automatically be eligible for a redundancy. Picture: Tara Croser.

“(Redundancies) are instead described in the Charter as conditional and subject to mutual acceptance and the need to retain critical skills,” Mr De Brenni said.

“While not every role therefore is made redundant, every worker is supported through the Charter, including access to individualised options and a job security guarantee,” he said.

“I think this workforce is very excited about the future and they are looking forward to being part of the future energy system.”

Funding for cases of genuine redundancy and voluntary redundancy are provisioned, according to the Minister.

Originally published as Energy Minister Mick De Brenni says Gladstone Power Station must transition to continue existing as state government launches green energy plan