We are a unique region when it comes to energy
THE Chronicle readers might recall that TSBE held the National Energy Summit in July this year.
The purpose of that summit was to explain what the issues were within the energy trilemma crisis.
What were the issues in providing affordable, sustainable and reliable energy?
Whilst the summit was fantastic in explaining to us some of the issues in relation to energy policy, a clear recollection of mine was the inability of state and federal government to work together to address some of these issues.
Both levels of government think they have the answers.
I have said it before but we are a unique region when it comes to energy. Western Downs Regional Council has trademarked themselves as the Energy Capital of Queensland, which I think actually does them a disservice – there is no doubt about it, they are the energy capital of Australia.
Because we have energy resources, namely coal and gas, it means that we have over 10 coal and gas fired power stations in the region.
Because of that infrastructure, we are now securing more energy assets, namely wind and solar, and potentially hydro (not to mention bio-fuels).
Western Downs alone has approved more than 10 significant solar farms, with Toowoomba and other regional councils in the region hot on their tail.
For this reason, TSBE will hold a Renewable Energy Roundup in Dalby on November 9 and 10, where TSBE members and non-members can participate in a conference to better understand the renewables industry and hear from leading experts about what renewables will mean for business and industry in the region.
On the November 10, we will be hosting a tour of the Darling Downs Solar Farm so you can see one for yourself first hand, as well as a tour to the Dalby Bio-refinery (where they make ethanol from sorghum).
As an aside, the first huge pieces of the Darling Downs Solar Farm project have arrived at the Port of Brisbane, with the cable drums weighing in at 20 tonnes (20,000kgs!).
TSBE believes that with the ability of the region to generate energy from coal, gas, wind and solar we are in an enviable position when it comes to energy development.
We do have solutions for Australia and have shown that we can co-exist with energy developments.
Because of that, we believe that more investment is on the cards.
We have recently formed an TSBE energy subcommittee of the board chaired by Lisa France.
Lisa is a director of TSBE, and was previously a member of parliament, but is now the Director for Australia and Asia for Energy at global consulting firm, Hatch.
We will be recruiting some really clever people onto this committee to ensure that our region can continue to provide energy innovative solutions for the country.
❝ability TSBE believes that with the of the region to generate energy from coal, gas, wind and solar we are in an enviable position when it comes to energy development.