Queensland hasn’t been short on press for recent renewable energy developments, especially as more and more industries – including healthcare – continue to push solar power uptake. This week, the Sunday Morning Herald reported that the state is well on track to become the next big ‘superpower’ for renewables, carrying the potential to create more than 78,000 jobs over the next 15 years in the sector. That would include opportunities across the construction of solar and wind developments, offering more than 5200 employment.
However, the pressure from states like Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia is proving to be a massive challenge for Queensland, as investors flock to other locations that already have their feet in the clean energy door.
What does Queensland have on offer for renewable energy?
Last Wednesday, the ACF released a report indicating predications towards Queensland’s future in renewables, with a considerable pipeline already established for the short-term.
Jason Lyddieth, representing Queensland’s ACF campaign, said the research highlights the amount of growth available for renewables in the state, as well as the plethora of job opportunities that come with it.
“Queensland is well-positioned to be a superpower in the renewable industries of the future,” Lyddieth said. However, he highlighted that other states are also investing significantly in clean energy, making the field highly competitive. As a result, Queensland is facing a large amount of competition to snatch up private sector investment.
“South Australia has a 100 per cent clean energy target, while Tasmania is aiming for 200 per cent, with plans to export renewable power to the mainland.”
Across its potential portfolio for the future, Queelsnand has enormous potential to export energy, specifically across hydrogen and ‘green steel’ – says the Sydney Morning Herald.
Energy Minister Anthony Lynham said post-COVID-19 recovery would include the rise of industries such as renewables, allowing the state to bounce back both economically, financially and socially.
“Renewables have grown under this government from next to nothing to a projected 20 per cent by the end of this year,” he said. In comparison to 2015, 39 large-scale renewable projects have been put into operation or obtained financial commitment, ultimately opening up 5700 jobs across the state. It’s these kinds of figures that are driving hopes that Queensland will further become a booming hotspot for more projects.
