NQ power struggle continues

NORTH Queensland’s abundance of natural sunlight, wind and open spaces makes it perfectly positioned as Australia’s renewable energy capital.

The sod- turning at Hughenden today on Windlab’s $ 160 million hybrid solarwind power development is an important step towards reaching that goal.

With the major capital investment comes the promise of short and long- term jobs and a vital boost for the community and economy of Hughenden.

Provided all goes smoothly, enough cheap, renewable electricity to run 35,000 households will be feeding into the Queensland power grid.

There is no denying renewable energy is a growth market and North Queensland is perfectly poised to take advantage of the benefits developing these new technologies will bring.

For too long our region has relied on a wire running from our nearest coal- fired power generator in Gladstone, a highly inefficient and costly system.

Most believe the answer to our skyrocketing power bills – Australia has the world’s most expensive electricity – is investment in power generators within our region, servicing our communities.

The latest polling suggests most North Queenslanders believe an ultrasupercritical coal- fired power plant is the best way to bring down overheads.

The Tim Nicholls- led LNP had pledged to commission such a plant in the North within 100 days of taking office.

But Labor’s election win should not be taken to mean North Queenslanders suddenly don’t want coal- fired power.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has committed Queensland to a target of 50 per cent renewable energy generation.

But that means the remaining 50 per cent, even after the 2030 deadline, will still be generated by gas and coal.

The incoming Palaszczuk Labor Cabinet should consider replacing oldtechnology coal- fired generators in the south with a cutting- edge plant in the North to drive down our bills.