Qld energy planning lagging dangerously behind National roadmap
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) 20 year energy roadmap released today forecasts renewable energy will meet 83% of national demand by 2031 and Queensland’s coal fired power fleet should begin retiring in 2025, to close 70% of units by 2032. The energy roadmap comes ahead of the State’s 10 Year Energy Plan and in the midst of surging power prices.
Queensland Conservation Council Energy Strategist, Clare Silcock, says that the 10 Year Energy Plan should follow the national roadmap.
“AEMO’s roadmap confirms the energy transition is accelerating and irreversible. It forecasts that cheaper renewable energy will drive coal replacements up to three times faster than currently scheduled, which the Queensland Government needs to start seriously planning for,” Ms Silcock said.
“Today’s final 2022 Integrated System Plan (ISP) is far more ambitious than the Queensland Government’s 50% renewable energy target by 2030. This is not a political ambition, it is a reflection of months of consultation with stakeholders to determine the most likely future,” Ms Silcock said.
“With the current energy crisis exacerbated by unreliable coal in Queensland, with multiple breakdowns at peak times, building new renewable energy to replace coal cannot come soon enough.”
“The ISP’s Hydrogen Superpower scenario reinforces that there are huge opportunities for Queensland in future industries supported by reliable renewable energy. Queensland has all the resources we need to lead in the development of industries such as hydrogen, green manufacturing and green metal production. We need the Queensland Government to get the planning right to replace coal with renewables and aim for the hydrogen superpower economy” Ms Silcock said.
“Queensland Government’s CS Energy and Stanwell have the unique opportunity to lead the renewable energy transformation while ensuring workers and communities are supported into new industries. We need the 10 Year Energy Plan to lead this transition in a way that protects workers, communities, cultural heritage and biodiversity.
We need the Government to fund transition planning in our regions and set out clear guidelines for managing renewable energy development in a way that improves biodiversity and ensures free, prior informed First Nations consent.” Ms Silcock said.
Media contact: Clare Silcock [email protected]