The Queensland government’s investment of $2 billion in renewable energy and hydrogen positions the state to become a leader in clean energy production and potentially exports, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said today.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced a $2 billion Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, which adds $1.5 billion to a $500,000 commitment made during the state election campaign.
“This is a significant investment in the move away from coal and positions Queensland to become a big clean energy exporter,” said ACF Climate Change Campaigner Jason Lyddieth.
“It makes sense for Queensland to take advantage of our bountiful sunshine and wind resources to power our own state and drive new export industries like green steel, green aluminium and hydrogen.
“Queensland is already being hard hit by climate change with higher temperatures damaging the Great Barrier Reef and making once wet rainforests vulnerable to bushfires.
“Climate change is a real and serious threat to our way of life, so – as well as boosting renewables capacity – Queensland needs to get out of coal and gas.
“We need a plan to look after the workers, communities and families who will be most affected by the inevitable transition away from fossil fuels.
“Queensland’s 2030 targets – to reduce emissions by 30% and have 50% of electricity from renewables – are among the weakest in the country and should be much stronger.”
Earlier this week the Palaszczuk government sent a pumped hydro scheme at Borumba Dam to planning stage and secured land for a 3GW hydrogen electrolyser plant near Gladstone.
A report released last year showed how Gladstone can build on its success as an industrial and export centre to become a renewable energy powered hub for industries like aluminium, steel, cement and hydrogen.
