Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has outlined a bold sustainable energy future for the State, including the world’s largest pumped hydro scheme.
Half of Queensland’s total energy requirements will be met by a new dam in the Pioneer Valley near Mackay, providing clean, dependable, and affordable renewable energy.
The new pumped hydro scheme is one element of the $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which also consist of the following:
- By 2032, renewable energy will provide 70 per cent of Queensland’s energy;
- 80 per cent by 2035;
- By 2035, Pioneer/Burdekin and Borumba Dams will have two new pumped hydroelectric facilities;
- A new Queensland SuperGrid linking solar, wind, battery, and hydrogen generators throughout the State;
- Unlocking 22GW of additional renewable energy, which would increase our present level by 8 times;
- Publicly owned coal-fired power plants will be transformed into clean energy hubs that will, for instance, switch to hydrogen power while providing jobs for workers;
- Publicly owned coal-fired power plants in Queensland will no longer burn coal by 2035;
- 100,000 additional employment by 2040, the majority in rural Queensland;
- rooftop solar power of 11.5 GW and embedded batteries of 6 GW;
- 95 per cent of investment is in rural Queensland;
- Creating the first hydrogen-ready gas turbine in Queensland; and
- Projects requiring environmental permits.
According to Premier Palaszczuk, the innovative strategy prepared Queensland for the next century.
“This plan is all about cheaper, cleaner, and secure energy for Queenslanders. It is about turbo-charging new investment in new minerals, batteries, and manufacturing,” the Premier said.
According to the Premier, Queensland will become the global centre for renewable energy thanks to the plan.
“It also takes real and decisive action on climate change providing the biggest commitment to renewable energy in Australia’s history,” the Premier added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the two new pumped hydro projects would be larger than the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric scheme.
“We will use cheap solar electricity during the day to pump water up the mountain to store it. Then at night, we can release the water to generate electricity. It’s like a giant battery,” Miles stated.
Treasurer Cameron Dick said Queensland’s energy revolution would offer the biggest employment opportunity in a generation.
“This empowers our regions in every sense of the world. It will bring manufacturing back to the regions in all-new industries,” Treasurer Dick added.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni stated that Queensland’s power plants were guaranteed to stay publicly owned with the Energy and Jobs Plan.
“This has proved vital to investment in cleaner, cheaper energy. We will maintain majority public ownership generation and 100% public ownership of transmission and distribution,” Minister de Brenni said.
According to Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon, the Energy and Jobs Plan also incorporates environmental concerns.
“This is the best news the Great Barrier Reef has had in years. It means emissions from energy will be cut by 90 per cent by 2035. This is what leadership looks like. This is real climate action,” Scanlon added.
