Coal-fired power to be ABOLISHED in Queensland – the country’s coal capital – and replaced entirely with renewable energy by 2035
- Renewables to take the place of coal-fired power by 2035 in Queensland
- Existing coal-fired power stations will progressively become ‘clean energy hubs’
- Major move for a state with significant coal-mining operations and Adani mine
Queensland will stop using coal-fired power by 2035, with pumped hydro and other renewables to replace it to power the state.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement during her ‘state-of-the-state’ address on Wednesday.
Ms Palaszczuk said energy sourced from renewables will make up 70 per cent of Queensland’s power by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035, a substantial increase on the state’s earlier target of 50 per cent by 2030.
‘By 2035 Queensland… will have no regular reliance on coal and be at 80 per cent renewable energy,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.
The coal announcement is significant in a state with substantial coal operations, including the Adani Carmichael mine currently under development in central Queensland.
Existing publicly owned coal-fired power stations will progressively become ‘clean energy hubs’ from 2027, Ms Palaszczuk said.
Mining operations at Moorvale Mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin – Queensland will end coal-fired power by 2035, it has been announced
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the state government’s energy and jobs plan during her ‘state-of-the-state’ address on Wednesday
‘This plan is all about cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.
‘It is about turbo-charging new investment in new minerals, batteries and manufacturing.
‘Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new energy.
‘This plan makes Queensland the renewable energy capital of the world.
‘It also takes real and decisive action on climate change providing the biggest commitment to renewable energy in Australia’s history.’
The $62billion plan includes a new dam in the Pioneer Valley near Mackay that is expected to eventually supply half of Queensland’s entire energy.
In combination with another dam, Borumba, the two hydro facilities would be bigger than the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric scheme, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.
The transformation of public coal-fired power stations was accompanied by a legislated ‘Job Security Guarantee’ for energy workers worth up to $10million.
The plan includes a promise of 100,000 new jobs generated by renewables projects by 2040, mostly in regional Queensland.
‘It will bring manufacturing back to the regions in all-new industries,’ Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said.
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