NORTH’S BURST OF ENERGY

THERE has been an explosion in renewable energy projects throughout Townsville and North Queensland over the past 12 months.

So much so, that we have decided to take a look at just what is going on throughout the region.

At the moment there are a number of solar farms being built or planned as well as some other innovative projects.

The Burdekin has claimed the title of solar capital of Australia such is the growth of the industry in the region.

At Sun Metals the company has shown traditional mining and new electricity generation can work hand- in- hand.

Another project that has made the world sit up and take notice of our region is the Kennedy Energy Park.

It is made up of a 43.2 megawatt wind farm, 15MW solar and 2MW battery storage site, making it a truly innovative project. Work has already begun on concrete pours for part of the project and parts have begun arriving through the Port of Townsville.

The arrival of parts for the different projects at the port has made a huge difference to the region — with the container record of arrivals through the port expected to be smashed.

The Townsville Bulletin is running a nine- part Powering Our Future series with stories on some of the renewable projects being developed in the region.

The first one will appear in tomorrow’s paper and will focus on Genex Energy’s Kidston development, a planned solar and hydro hybrid project about 270km northwest of Townsville.