Queensland’s target of 50% renewable energy by 2030 is not only achievable, but could be cost-neutral to electricity customers too.
Just prior to last Friday’s emergency COAG Energy Council meeting*, Federal Minister for the Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg said the “states need to put the brakes on their unrealistically high state-based renewable energy targets.”
A draft report released by the independent Renewable Energy Expert Panel challenges this, outlining three credible pathways for Queensland to achieve its goal.
“The Credible Pathways draft report is the result of a comprehensive public consultation program by an independent team of business, energy, and environmental experts,” said Queensland Minister for Energy Mark Bailey.
“Consideration of electricity network security and affordability were central to the draft report which found that Queensland can meet a 50 per cent renewable energy target while maintaining electricity security and reliability over the next 14 years.”
As well as having a cost-neutral impact on electricity consumers, there would be a significant boost to clean energy investment and jobs. A net average increase in employment of around 6,400-6,700 direct and indirect jobs per annum between 2020 and 2030 is possible. Additionally, there would be $6.7 billion of new investment for the development of 5,500MW of new large scale plants, primarily tapping wind energy and solar power.
It’s projected the state could see 2200 MW of wind, 5200 MW of large-scale solar PV and 4900 MW of rooftop solar by 2030.
The Panel will discuss the draft report in public and industry forums throughout Queensland this month and Minister Bailey is urging all Queenslanders to have their say.
The announcement appears to have stirred up a huge amount of interest – the Panel’s web site was very slow to load yesterday afternoon.
The ‘Credible pathways to a 50% renewable energy target for Queensland’ Draft Report can be downloaded here (PDF). Submissions will close on Wednesday, 2 November 2016.
It’s a huge document, so if you’re short on time a much briefer but still detailed analysis of the report can be viewed on RenewEconomy.
The launch of the report has been received warmly by the Clean Energy Council.
“The Queensland Government has made clear that renewable energy is the future,” said CEC Chief Executive Kane Thornton. “Queensland has a proud mining tradition, and now that includes mining the sky and the wind to get the maximum benefits from its outstanding natural advantages.”
Also full of praise was Solar Citizens.
“This report shows what 484,000 households and small businesses in Queensland with solar already know. Renewable energy – especially solar power – provides cheaper, cleaner electricity.” said Reece Turner, Consumer Campaigner with Solar Citizens.
Not so happy is Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls, who described the report as having “dodgy figures“.
*The results of Friday’s COAG Energy Council Meeting can be viewed here.
