Industry growth and renewable energy investment will see Queensland become a competitor in sustainable development.
The state government has released the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan (QREP) 2012, which aims to boost the state in terms of renewable energy investment, projects and industry growth.
The plan's agenda is to speed up project deployment of renewable energy infrastructure; to promote ‘smart industry’, jobs and investment through regulatory reform, innovation, industry and skills development and renewable energy zones; and developing partnerships for technology research.
Minister for energy, Stephen Robertson said the plan positions the state to leverage up to $8.9 billion in renewable energy investment and deliver 9000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy generation by 2020.
“It will help deliver our original QREP goals to create up to 3500 new green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 million tonnes,” Mr Robertson said.
Linking with the Australian Government’s $10 billion Clean Energy Future Plan, Queensland will be a “primary beneficiary” with a “strong ongoing program of initiatives” and “focus on collaboration and capacity building”.
Mr Robertson said the federal plan aims for $100 billion in private investment by 2050.
He said this QREP 2012 plan builds on from previous renewable energy plans in 2009, where the state has since increased its renewable energy generation capacity 66 per cent from 745 megawatts in 2008 to more than 1235 megawatts in 2012.
He said that amount is enough to power roughly 640000 homes per year.
The plans involved will be the Solar Bonus Scheme and Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme, which will be built upon in the current project.
Mr Robertson said the QREP 2012 plan seeks to scale up these efforts and speed up deployment of medium and large scale energy generation projects.
“It will promote industry and jobs in our regions through the implementation of renewable energy zones and project initiatives,” Mr Robertson said.
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