The Queensland Government recently made announcements in regards to major solar and wind energy projects within the state. This process began with the signing of support deeds for various large-scale solar projects near Oakey, Collinsville and Longreach.

“The execution of these deeds locks in Queensland’s Solar 150 long-term commitment to these projects, guaranteeing financial security and enabling these projects to reach financial close,” said Mark Bailey, the Energy Minister.

“This confirmation of the Whitsunday, Oakey and Longreach solar projects’ inclusion in the State’s Solar 150 program provides a 20 year revenue guarantee, meaning financial contracts can now be delivered and construction can begin.”

The Government of Palaszczuk has pledged to support up to 150 MW of large scale solar energy generation in Queensland.

The projects cited above:

  • Whitsunday Solar Farm – 58MW, $122 million project, 116 construction jobs
  • Oakey Solar Farm – 25MW, $48 million project, 50 construction jobs
  • Longreach Solar Farm – 15MW, $29 million project, 30 construction jobs

At the same time, the Environmental Impact Statement for the Coopers Gap wind farm situated near Kingarov was also approved.

The project is poised to create more than 350 construction jobs and 20 more permanent jobs once it becomes operational by 2020. It’s projected that the Coopers Gap wind farm will contribute approximately $4 million every year to the local economy.

The facility will carry a capacity of 460 megawatts besides potentially producing adequate electricity to power over 240,000 households. The state will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by one million tonnes each year, which is equivalent to removing around 320,000 cars from the road annually.

“This is a win for jobs and businesses in the local area, and for the environment generally,” said Dr. Anthony Lynham, the Minister for State Development.

In conclusion, the Emerald Government’s Administration Office Building will soon go solar following the beginning of construction works on the building’s lighting and ceiling.

“Once those works are complete, we’ll be installing solar on the roof, which will not just improve the sustainability performance of the building, it will also reduce energy costs,” said Mick de Brenni, the Minister for Housing and Public Works.

Queensland’s future looks bright particularly when it comes to the growing interest in small scale energy storage.

Recently, the state government published results of their Household Energy Survey, which showed 36 per cent of regional and 40 per cent of South East Queensland homes with solar panels would install battery systems by 2020.