Renewable job boom
THERE is a jobs boom happening in North Queensland’s renewables industry. We can secure our own energy future, and with the cost of renewable energy falling we will be able to do it sooner than we thought.
Direct employment is thriving in our local clean energy industries, including solar, hydropower, wind and biomass.
North Queensland is the sunniest place in the sunniest state in the world’s sunniest country. This means jobs and business opportunities.
The 2000- plus new jobs created by North Queensland’s renewable energy industry in the last two years is just the tip of the iceberg.
North Queenslanders have demanded clean, cheap power, and local jobs, and the renewables industry has listened. Queensland now has 425,000 households with rooftop solar, the largest number of any state, and the number will just keep growing.
Queensland is set to see from 6400 to 6700 new jobs in renewables created every year, as well as $ 6.7 billion investment by 2030.
If we position ourselves well, North Queensland will see the biggest growth and receive the bulk of these new and sustainable jobs.
There are 17 large projects under construction and more than 30 new projects in the pipeline. Soon renewables will employ more people than coal and gas in North Queensland and the jobs will keep coming.
The Ross River Solar Farm being built 20km southwest of Townsville is just one example.
It will create about 250 jobs, including surveyors, engineers, civil contractors, metal fabricators, electricians, fencing, security and telecommunications specialists, builders and general labourers.
Renewables are now our cheapest energy source.
The State Government recognises this, and has committed to 50 per cent renewables for Queensland by 2030. This will create a successful economic environment delivering steady, long- term jobs in local regions.
We need to invest in new large- scale infrastructure, so we should invest in clean, cheap power that generates long- term, stable, local jobs and supports our local communities.
The good news is we have the know- how, natural assets and the investment interests to build new large- scale renewable energy grids.
New jobs and new energy, by North Queenslanders, for North Queenslanders.
The Powering North Queensland Summit, to be held in Townsville on August 31 will bring together all the key players in North Queensland’s renewable energy boom.
Treasurer and Acting Minster for Energy and Biofuels Curtis Pitt will open the conference and Mayor Jenny Hill will speak about the opportunities that exist in our region.
John Grimes is the chief executive of the Australian Solar Council and Energy Storage Council