SOUTH EAST QUEENSLANDERS TO TAKE MORE CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN ENERGY FUTURE

The Palaszczuk Government’s plan for cleaner, reliable, and affordable energy will drive job creation to ease cost-of-living pressures in South East Queensland and Toowoomba.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a bold clean energy future for Queensland including the biggest investment in clean energy and emissions reduction in Australia’s history.

The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan includes a new target of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035.

“This plan is about clean, reliable and affordable energy putting downward pressure on household energy bills,” the Premier said.

“It is about turbo-charging new investment in new minerals, batteries and manufacturing.

“And, it’s about taking real and decisive action on climate change providing the largest single commitment to renewable energy in Australia’s history.”

The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan includes:
- Estimated additional $1.6 billion investment in electricity infrastructure in South East Queensland and Toowoomba by 2040
- Higher targets of 70% of Queensland’s energy supply from renewables by 2032 and 80% by 2035
- 109 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent reduced from electricity grid by 2035 - equivalent to 38 million cars off the road
- Delivering lower electricity prices – household retail bills will be $150 lower in 2032 than without the Plan.

The Premier said her government planned to build the biggest pumped hydro project in the world.

The pumped hydro energy storage project in the Pioneer-Burdekin Valley near Mackay, will be able to store and dispatch up to half of Queensland’s energy needs with clean, reliable and affordable renewable energy.

Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said the clean energy revolution was already underway in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

“The future Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro Project, 40kms west of Nambour, received an additional $13 million to broaden the scope of the feasibility studies,” Mr Skelton said.

“Borumba Dam was identified due to its proximity to the high-voltage transmission network, existing dam infrastructure, and location to the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.

“Once approved, around 2,000 workers will build and deliver secure, reliable and cheap renewable electricity to firm up our network.”

Member for Cooper Jonty Bush said the Plan will empower households and businesses to make smarter choices about the way they use energy.

“It sets us up for more rooftop solar, along with home batteries and electric vehicles to deliver long-term savings,” Ms Bush said.

“The Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy and Action Plan 2022–2030 will help to drive the uptake of electric vehicles and support integration in the system and buildings.

“Plus, with 70% of our electricity set to come from clean renewable energy by 2032, Queenslanders can be confident that their future will be powered by clean green electricity.”

Member for Redlands and Hydrogen Champion Kim Richards said that under the plan there will be $20 million for supercharging Queensland’s hydrogen hubs and build community awareness for the industry.

“This is an important insurance policy for our publicly-owned energy system, to make sure Queensland can meet electricity demand during peak times,” Ms Richards said.

“We also anticipate an extra 36,000 jobs in green growth opportunities including direct and indirect jobs across key sectors like green hydrogen; that’s a huge opportunity for Queensland.”

Assistant Minister to the Premier for Veterans' Affairs and COVID Economic Recovery and Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said the plan would keep costs down for households and businesses, while supporting more rooftop solar and batteries.

“The Palaszczuk Government will also deliver a program to save businesses money on their electricity bills with the $35 million Queensland Business Energy Saving and Transformation (QBEST) Program,” Mr Mellish said/

“This investment will help business to reduce their energy bills so they can spend money on other important aspects of their business or expand and employ more people in my community.”

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the clean energy transformation in South East Queensland and Toowoomba had already generated around $500 million of investment in approximately 200 MW of large-scale renewable energy, creating 500 jobs.

“The plan will create 64,000 jobs in clean energy infrastructure including new skilled jobs in construction of transmission and renewable energy projects,” Minister de Brenni.

“That huge opportunity for South East Queensland and Toowoomba as it extends to jobs in manufacturing and ongoing operations, and indirect jobs in the services industry that supports the energy sector.

“Key sectors like manufacturing, hydrogen and critical minerals will be growing at a faster rate, with Queensland a globally competitive investment destination.”

Across the state, the $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan also includes:
- a target of 70% of Queensland’s energy supply from renewables by 2032;
- a target of 80% of Queensland’s energy supply from renewables by 2035;
- Two new pumped hydros at Pioneer-Burdekin and Borumba by 2035;
- A new Queensland SuperGrid connecting solar, wind, battery and hydrogen generators across the State;
- Unlocking 22GW of new renewable capacity – to get to 8 times our current level;
- Publicly owned coal fired-power stations to convert to Energy Hubs to transition to, for example, hydrogen power, with jobs guarantees for workers;
- 100,000 new jobs by 2040, most in regional Queensland;
- 11.5GW of rooftop solar and 5.77GW of embedded batteries;
- 95% of investment in regional Queensland; and
- Building Queensland’s first hydrogen ready gas turbine.