The Queensland Renewable Energy Plan
The Queensland Renewable Energy Plan Report
- Author(s): Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation Queensland,
- Published: 2009
- Publisher: Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
Abstract: The Queensland Renewable Energy Plan is a comprehensive economic and industry development strategy aimed at accelerating the growth of the renewable energy sector in Queensland. The Plan is broad in scope and includes a raft of initiatives aimed at addressing areas of market failure, driving regulatory reform, streamlining planning processes, removing non-economic barriers and facilitating technological innovation. It will position the state to lead the national renewable energy agenda while detailing mechanisms to attract a maximum share of investment under the expanded national Renewable Energy Target. The primary objective of the Plan is to increase the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure in Queensland. This means providing the right incentives to encourage industry to move beyond business as usual and look for new opportunities. The Queensland Government estimates that successful implementation of the Plan will help to leverage up to $3.5 billion in new investment, create up to 3,500 new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 million tonnes by 2020. Queensland is set to become Australia’s solar hot water state, with the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program to accelerate the installation of up to 200,000 solar hot water systems over three years. The program will reduce the household electricity bills of participants by approximately 25 per cent and decrease emissions from household electricity use by up to 30 per cent. The Program represents one of the largest and most complex industry transformation projects of its kind in Queensland. With Queensland’s renewable energy resources primarily located outside of major population centres, an important objective of the Plan is to maximise regional development opportunities. A pilot project aimed at powering the state’s most isolated communities with renewable energy alternatives will commence and be evaluated over the next year to determine whether there should be a state-wide rollout. There is significant potential for a number of solar thermal plants to be deployed in regional centres. Renewable Energy Zones will be created in areas with high quality renewable resources where access to state land is facilitated, planning processes are streamlined and incentives are developed to attract renewable energy proponents. The Plan will be finalised and implemented through the Office of Clean Energy — a ‘one stop shop’ that will provide ongoing policy and program support while dispensing expertise to assist renewable energy developers fast track projects. Initiatives will be progressed based on their ability to leverage Commonwealth and private sector funding and the extent of community and industry support.