In a little over a decade the Sunshine State will heavily depend on environmentally friendly resources.
The Queensland Government recently passed new rules that target 80 per cent renewable energy generation by the year 2035.
The newly approved Clean Economy Jobs Act and the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act requires all state-run entities to significantly reduce their dependence on coal, oil, gas and other fossil fuels.
Renewable energy generation will progressively increase to 50 per cent by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035.
This will be achieved through the previously announced Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which promises 100,000 new careers for an estimated 39,000 coal workers.
Affected employees have the following options:
- work on the new super grid
- deploy flow battery technologies
- move new gas to hydrogen power stations
- join new maintenance hubs for renewables
- support CleanCo and other renewable expansions.
Biloela, Kingaroy, Rockhampton, Gladstone, the Darling Downs and other impacted mining communities will share in a $200 million downpayment from the state’s Regional Economic Futures Fund.
“Our vision for Queenslanders is to produce cheap, clean, reliable, renewable energy for them, their families and their businesses,” Premier Steven Miles said in a public statement.
“We will build the renewable energy generation and transmission assets needed to power big industries in Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville and Mount Isa. In turn, we create clean economy jobs for generations to come – building our state and national energy independence.”
“Our $150 million Job Security Guarantee is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Now that it is locked in legislation, Queenslanders working in a publicly-owned power station or relevant coal mine can have peace of mind that they will have opportunities for training and financial security as we transition,” State Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni added.
The Electrical Trades Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Australian Conservation Foundation supported the new legislation.
Click here to read the full energy and jobs plan.
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