Renewable energy is way to power future

I WRITE in response to Merv Johnston’s letter (“Knowledge is power” 4/9). A new coalfired power station in north Queensland is not required because there is no issue with energy security in

Queensland. Any references to Mount Isa in the National Grid data are red herrings.

The Isa is currently a stand alone mini grid. The Australian Energy Market Operator in 2018 reported that Queensland was already an exporter of energy. At peak demand, Queensland’s energy need is just over 10,000MW; however there is already 13,000MW of capacity in the system, and this does not include wind and solar input.

Meanwhile, the cost of renewable energy is falling. The AEMO recently confirmed that renewable energy (wind and solar combined with battery) is much cheaper than coal and gas generated electricity, and is the cheapest and obvious replacement as coal plant retire. So, new coal generation is simply not economical.

Alternatives other than coal and gas need to be looked at to create prosperity and job opportunities. Magnis Energy recently announced plans to build battery gigafactories in Townsville and New York; a feasibility study found that building a Townsville based battery factory could be viable in both short and longer terms, while creating over 1100 jobs. The path to prosperity appears to be with renewables. Let us seize this opportunity to revive Queensland’s economy.

CHING ANG, Kensington Gardens.