Queensland conservation and renewable energy groups say there's uncertainty and wavering investor confidence in the sector caused by the state government's mixed messages on energy policy. There are calls for more detail from the LNP about its plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
00:00This 40-year-old facility is at the forefront of Queensland's clean energy future.
00:10The state's only pumped hydro power station at Wyvernhoe Dam near Brisbane
00:17is capable of generating 570 megawatts of power.
00:23The beauty of pumped hydro is its ability to store huge volumes of energy over a long duration.
00:29Pumped hydro is a critical piece of the puzzle to meet future energy demand and lower carbon emissions.
00:37But there's concern about how the LNP plans to reach net zero by 2050 given it's now reviewing emissions targets.
00:47The Christopher Lee government was elected after they showed bipartisan support for Queensland's emission reduction targets.
00:55And what we're seeing right now is then walk away from those commitments.
01:00The energy minister insists the government supports pumped hydro, wind and solar projects.
01:07But experts say its decision to extend the life of publicly owned coal-fired power stations beyond 2035,
01:15expand gas exploration and call in wind farm projects is sending mixed messages.
01:22I think right now there's a lot of messiness.
01:24All the things that we're referring to make it uncertain, unclear, impose more risks.
01:30Risk means more delays, delays mean more cost.
01:33I think our energy position is actually clear.
01:36I send clear messages as energy minister that I want to see more investment, particularly from the private sector into renewables projects.
01:44The LNP axed a proposed $1 billion wind farm project in central Queensland in May, citing a lack of community support.
01:54Changes to planning laws are being considered by a parliamentary committee, which could make it harder for renewable energy projects to apply for state approvals, such as requiring a social impact assessment and a community agreement with local councils.
02:13If this bill goes through, there's no doubt that there will be delays to projects that I would expect would be upwards of 12 months.
02:21It's important that renewables projects gain the confidence of the community in which they are being constructed.
02:27David Janetsky says coal and gas are needed to support the transition to renewables and won't put a date on when coal generators will be shut down.
02:38Well, right now we need coal. I mean, we have to have the coal so there isn't enough energy in the network to be able to keep all the lights on without it.
02:45But eventually as coal units come to the end of their lives, we need to have a plan.
02:50That plan detailing Queensland's energy future over the next five years is due at the end of the year.
02:58.
02:59I hope this is going to be a classic.
03:00It's been a long way to help us to solve our decisions for the future.
Be the first to comment