There has been plenty of media in recent months surrounding Queensland’s renewable resources, and the plans to make Queensland 50% renewable energy reliant within the next 12 years. So, is Queensland really leading the other States when it comes to renewable resources?
Renewable energy is an energy source used to produce electricity that can be naturally replenished or replaced. A preferred characteristic of renewable energy is of course that it uses minimal greenhouse gas emissions during production. The Clean Energy Australia 2018 report shows that Queensland leads the way on large-scale renewable energy, with the state boasting 88% of new, large-scale solar projects completed in 2017.
Queensland is also leading the way when it comes to employment in the renewable energy sector. Australian Renewable Energy Index says Queensland currently has almost 6,500 people working in renewables, ending NSW’s dominance of the industry.
Between 2010 and 2015 there was almost no expansion in large-scale renewables in Queensland and renewables represented just 7.4% of 2015 consumption. It currently sits at 21%. By 2020 it will meet 25% of electricity consumption. There are many projects being pursued by companies for development that could generate power equal to over 90% of use in 2030 NSW will fall short of 20% renewables by 2020 and lags behind the rest of the National Electricity Market.
As far as individual Queenslanders go with doing their part, the state is leading the rooftop solar boom with 8/ 10 postcodes for the number of installations located in the Sunshine State. Queensland is doing quite a bit to create a thriving renewable energy industry that comprises high-quality renewable resources. Below is an overview of what Queensland currently uses.
Solar
Queensland has substantial solar resources, predominantly in areas located close to existing network infrastructure and key population centres. This provides Queensland a natural gain in a large-scale solar generation.
Wind
Queensland has nationally competitive wind resources. Recent developments in turbine technology have assisted in unlocking Queensland’s wind resources, and there are several major wind farms currently under construction in Queensland.
Biomass
Another currently used renewable resource in Queensland is Biomass. Queensland’s agricultural industry offers a unique opportunity to create electricity from biomass (organic matter used as a fuel) providing a significant future contribution to Queensland’s renewable energy capacity.
Hydro-electric
Queensland currently has around 700 megawatts of pumped storage hydro plant and hydro-electric energy, with a study currently underway to assess the future potential options for the deployment of these technologies across the state.
Geothermal
Queensland has excellent potential to develop geothermal energy resources, with substantial resources of hot, dry rocks. Although the only geothermal production activity currently operates at the Birdsville geothermal power station, many other geothermal activities in Queensland are explorational.
Widespread resource mapping for wind, solar and geothermal has been undertaken in Queensland.
Find out more about renewable energy using these resources:
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