War on energy policies

LABOR and the LNP yesterday traded blows over energy policy with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk backing renewable energy and LNP energy spokesman Michael Hart warning the lights could go out in North Queensland without stable coal- fired power.

Both government leaders, as well as Treasurer and acting Energy Minister Curtis Pitt, addressed the Powering North Queensland Summit in Townsville convened by the Australian Solar Council.

The LNP released a fivepoint renewable energy plan, including developing a regulatory framework to encourage investment in renewables and establish a “one- stop shop” to facilitate approvals.

But the Opposition was clearly stepping back from any rush into renewables.

Mr Hart said Labor’s 50 per cent renewables target by 2030 – which the summit heard could be reached with current projects – was reckless.

“Today I make a firm commitment to the people of Queensland that the LNP will support the national Renewable Energy Target that will see more than 23 per cent of Australia’s electricity generated from renewable energy by 2020,” Mr Hart said.

“Everywhere I travel, the story is the same – Queenslanders’ power bills are skyrocketing and they want price relief.”

Mr Hart said government needed to get the balance right between renewable and fossil fuels.

But Ms Palaszczuk said $ 3.4 billion in investment and 2700 jobs in renewables in Queensland 2 ½ years ago showed the government had the right policies.

“You cannot get investment in this state unless you have certainty and stability and that is what my government is providing,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said renewables were the future.

“The world is moving towards renewables and I will not have Queensland left behind,” she said. “We already have a highly efficient fleet of coal- fired power stations.”

She said it was the government’s renewable target which was driving investment.

The government has plans to develop transmission lines to support a clean energy hub in North Queensland and fund studies into a 50- megawatt hydro- electricity plant on the Burdekin Falls Dam.

Also, the government has called expressions of interest for a reverse auction for up to 400 megawatts of renewable energy, including 100 megawatts of energy storage.

Ms Palaszczuk said companies had approached her to invest in battery manufacturing.

“We will continue to argue for stable federal policy and leadership but we will not and cannot wait for it,” she said.