Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan shines brightly
Queensland’s new Energy and Jobs Plan represents a great leap forward in delivering clean energy, thousands of jobs, and multimillion-dollar economic opportunities for the Sunshine State, the Climate Council says.
“Queensland has substantially raised its renewable energy target to 70% by 2032, with a $62bn investment in regional communities, good jobs, and clean power for all Queenslanders. This is a big step forward for the Sunshine State,” Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council said.
“With its Energy Plan, Queensland has set itself up to cash in on the global transition away from polluting coal and gas, while bringing coal workers and regional communities along on the inevitable journey. It’s great to see that 95% of the $62bn spent on this plan will be invested in the regions.
“This now puts Queensland ahead of the big states for their 2030 renewable energy targets. Queensland is now aiming for 60% by 2030, compared to Victoria which has pledged 50% by 2030, and New South Wales with no specific target.
Queenslanders have already suffered enormously from climate change-fueled floods and fires. In fact, during the announcement, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state is facing a ‘climate emergency’.
Palaszczuk said her government was committing an extra $4bn to transform the state’s energy system and by 2030 there would be at least 2,000 more wind turbines and 35 million more solar panels in the state.
In her speech in Brisbane, Palaszczuk said: “It’s about changing the game. Action on climate change. Action on our economy. Action we can all take part in and action we can all be proud of. Queensland – it’s our time to shine.”
“By 2035, there would be eight times more renewable energy generation than today,” she said.
“The great work Queensland has started today must be accelerated with a rapid replacement of coal and gas-fired power by clean, cheap renewables over this decade,” continued McKenzie. “There will also be no need for any new fossil fuel projects.”
“The sense of momentum towards a clean future in Australia is inspiring. Every Australian state is now in a race to the front of the net zero emissions, clean energy pack. The further and faster states go on reducing emissions, investing in clean energy technologies like renewables, storage, and energy efficiency, and phasing out fossil fuels, the more benefits they’ll unlock,” said McKenzie.