Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recently unveiled the state government’s $62 billion 10-year Energy and Jobs Plan that includes existing coalfired power stations transitioning to clean energy hubs, the building of the world’s largest pumped hydro scheme, and the creation of 100,000 jobs, writes Gavin Dennett.
As part of the clean energy blueprint, the government is legislating a 70 per cent renewable energy target by 2032, to be increased to 80 per cent by 2035, with an end to reliance on coal by the same year.
In the pipeline are two pumped hydro projects to be operational by 2035. One will be located at Borumba Dam, 56km northwest of the Sunshine Coast, with the second site – known as the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project – to be situated 70km west of Mackay.
Also planned is Australia’s largest state-owned wind farm, to be operational by 2026. Palaszczuk announced the Queensland Government’s energy corporation, Stanwell, will build the Tarong West Wind Farm at Ironpot, 30km southwest of Kingaroy, comprising 150 turbines with 500MW capacity, generating enough clean electricity to power up to 230,000 homes.
“We must invest now – not just for our climate, but for new job opportunities to bring everyone along with the clean energy industrial revolution at our doorstep,” said Palaszczuk at the announcement of the Energy and Jobs Plan that is projected to create 100,000 new jobs by 2040.
The Pioneer-Burdekin project will be the largest pumped hydro energy storage in the world, with 5GW of 24-hour storage. Stage one is expected to be completed by 2032, according to Palaszczuk.
“These are projects of national significance on a scale not seen since the construction of Snowy Hydro,” she said.
Palaszczuk also announced a new 1500km high-voltage transmission “supergrid” to connect renewable storage with established regional centres, in addition to transmission and training hubs in Gladstone and Townsville “that will support 570 workers each year”.
“A jobs security guarantee will be backed by a $150 million funding commitment,” she said. “This guarantee will support workers with access to reskilling, transfer to new opportunities and advice on future career pathways.”
The Queensland Government says the energy plan will deliver a 50 per cent reduction in electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions on 2005 levels by 2030, and a 90 per cent reduction by 2035-2036.
Currently, around 20 per cent of Queensland’s electricity is produced from renewable sources, but under the new energy plan the target is an ambitious 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032, and a commitment to decarbonise the Queensland energy grid by 90 per cent by 2035.
“Queensland has substantially raised its renewable energy target with a $62 billion investment in regional communities, good jobs and clean power for all Queenslanders,” says Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie. “This is a big step forward for the Sunshine State.
“With its energy plan, Queensland has set itself up to cash in on the global transition away from polluting coal and gas, while bringing coal workers and regional communities along on the inevitable journey. It’s great to see that 95 per cent of the $62 billion spent on this plan will be invested in the regions.
“This now puts Queensland ahead of the big states for their 2030 renewable energy targets. Queensland is now aiming for 60 per cent by 2030, compared to Victoria which has pledged 50 per cent by 2030 and no specific target for NSW.
“The great work Queensland has started today must be accelerated with a rapid replacement of coal and gas-fired power by clean, cheap renewables during this decade.
“The sense of momentum towards a clean future in Australia is inspiring. Every Australian state is now in a race to the front of the net-zero emissions, clean energy pack.”
Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton also backed the Queensland Government’s comprehensive Energy and Jobs Plan.
“This is a bold and transformational plan that will set up Queensland to be a world leader on clean energy,” he says.
“The national decarbonisation effort is going to need hundreds of thousands of workers. As a result, we need to ensure there are clear opportunities and pathways for all Australians, especially in the regions.
“This plan will give certainty to workers, communities and investors, which will unlock an enormous amount of investment and job creation in renewable energy and energy storage, particularly into regional Queensland, which will benefit from 95 per cent of investment dollars.
“Critically, the Queensland Energy Workers’ Charter means no worker will be left behind, demonstrating that the clean energy transition doesn’t have to be a choice between jobs and the environment.”
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