Queensland already has a commitment to deliver 50% renewable energy by 2030, 70% by 2032, and 80% by 2035.
The Premier Steven Miles said, “By legislating this target, we will create certainty for industry and bridge the gap between the city and the bush. This announcement is only possible because of the landmark Queensland Energy and Jobs plan, which will see 80 per cent of our energy generated by renewables in 2035."
Update: A first crunch point will come on 22 December when Queensland Labor's Environment Minister Leanne Linard may sign off on Whitehaven’s Winchester South coal mine. The Winchester South coal project is one of over 100 new coal and gas projects in the pipeline in Australia - fuelling catastrophic climate change and leading to more heatwaves, floods and fires.
Since 2015, close to $11 billion has been invested in 50 large-scale renewable energy projects now operating, committed to, or under construction across Queensland.
Steven Miles outlined in a tweet thread on December 7 some key directions:
"Our focus is now firmly centred on supporting and growing six key industry sectors – renewable energy manufacturing, critical minerals, high value battery manufacturing, green hydrogen, the circular economy, and biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel."
"Our commitment is that we will drive the success of these industries – and we’ll make sure it happens in the community where they can best draw on their strengths to embrace them."
"Five years ago our Premier met with business and academics in Japan to discuss the hydrogen opportunity; how we could We have a vision where we convert Queensland’s sunshine into green hydrogen to sell renewable energy to the world."
Two years ago, we launched the Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund; a $2 billion commitment to grabbing the opportunities that are coming from clean energy.
Then, we received the commitment of Fortescue Future Industries to build their initial Electrolyser manufacturing facility.
That facility is close to completion, and soon, it will take Queensland’s sunshine, and convert it into the machines the world will need to decarbonize.
Gladstone has been one of Queensland’s most industrialised cities for many many years. It’s home to our largest multi-commodity port, and it’s the world’s fourth largest coal-exporting terminal.
But because we’ve found a path for Gladstone through new opportunities, there’s a genuine optimism in the air.
When we ask locals what their forecast for the future is now, they are optimistic. The future is bright. They know that their world will be different 20 years from now, but it can still be great.
In Townsville, locals will tell you that mining is their lifeblood.
They’re not wrong, it’s the biggest city in the biggest mining region in our country.
Queensland has access to some of the world’s richest critical mineral-producing areas, with the North West Minerals Province assessed to hold deposits worth $500 billion dollars.
The opportunities in North Queensland include mining and processing the minerals for vanadium, zinc bromine and iron flow batteries, cobalt and nickel used in lithium-ion batteries, high-purity alumina for LEDs, batteries and semiconductors, rare earth elements used in electronics and silicon for solar panels and semiconductors.
And that’s why we’re investing in the Queensland Resources Common User Facility; to be built in Townsville.
Like FFI's electrolyser manufacturing facility in Gladstone, making the most of the local community’s strengths to seize the decarbonisation opportunity, our Townsville mineral-processing facility will do the same.
Since 2015, close to $11 billion has been invested in 50 large-scale renewable energy projects now operating, committed to, or under construction across Queensland.
Already, this has helped Queensland to avoid more than 13.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, while supporting around 7,900 construction jobs.
It’s all captured in our $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan – the most ambitious of any government in Australia.
While we are currently powered by more than 20 per cent renewable electricity, we intend to achieve so much more.
The Energy and Jobs Plan will enable us to increase our renewable energy use to 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035.
Under this landmark plan, Queensland will also be home to the biggest pumped hydro scheme in the world as well as a green renewable electricity SuperGrid connecting solar, wind, battery and hydrogen generators across our state.
To give you a visual picture, over the next decade, the SuperGrid will help to deliver:
👉 more than 2,000 wind towers and nacelles
👉 more than 7,000 wind tower blades
👉almost 25 million solar PV modules and, nearly 7,000 batteries.
We’re also becoming a global destination. In just 9 years time, we’re hosting the Olympics. Our commitment to deliver a climate-positive games will help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Queensland is a dispersed state, but it’s a land of opportunity; and the Queensland difference is that we’re matching the right opportunity to the right community so we can carry our people through change together.
Queensland decarbonisation initiatives include:
- New solar, wind and pumped hydro renewable energy projects, set out in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan
- New Industry Development Strategy backed by a $200 million investment in the Regional Economic Futures Fund
- The $500 million Low Emissions Investment Partnerships Program
- A $55 million package through the Queensland Electric Vehicle Strategy
- The Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap
- A $9.8 million Improved Vegetation Management Compliance Program, and
- A $245 million investment through the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy.
Leanne Linard, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, said “Our government believes the science on climate change and has been taking action to respond. We are on track to meet 2030 emission reduction targets - a 30 per cent reduction in emissions based on 2005 levels - more than five years earlier than projected."
“As Australia’s most carbon-intensive economy, Queensland has a vital role to play in reducing emissions, and all levels of government will need to play their part.” said Deputy Premier Cameron Dick.
Queensland has substantial coal mines in the Bowen Basin, Surat Basin and Galilee Basin with the coal substantially for the export market.
Queensland's conventional Fossil gas is drawn from fields covering the Cooper and Eromanga basins in the south and south-west of Queensland. Coal Seam Gas (CSG) in the Bowen and Surat basins provides feedstock for three major LNG export terminals: Curtis Island LNG, Australia Pacific LNG and Gladstone LNG.
As Deputy Premier Steven Miles attended COP28 in Dubai. He made comments on addressing Queensland's huge methane fugitive emissions.
State Emission Reduction Targets for 2035
This announcement comes after the NSW Government announced a 70% emissions reduction on 2005 levels by 2035.
The Victoria Labor Government announced in October 2022 a 75-80% emissions reduction target for 2035, Net zero by 2045, New Renewables Targets VRET of 65% by 2030, 95% by 2035.
The new Premier Steven Miles has been a Climate Reality Leader for some 15 years. In 2019 when he was Queensland Minister for Health he featured in this Climate Reality interview:
References:
Queensland Government, 15 December 2023, 75 by 2035: Queensland powers ahead with new emissions target https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99361
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