RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE ROCKHAMPTON
REGION
In the meantime , coastal Central Queensland can continue to support and provide services to the traditional coal industry until the world no longer needs it as a source of power , while at the same time helping the development of renewable energy . This change can add significantly to the Region ’ s economic and social diversity and enhance its productive resilience .
CONCLUSION Until now , Queensland has been fortunate to receive many of the benefits which have resulted from the thermal coal and LNG industries . The Queensland Government , irrespective of its political persuasion , has developed policy settings which have taken advantage of its significant energy resources . the potential of distance power loss in transformers and power lines through the Joule effect .
In the last three years , renewable energy developers have identified the opportunities which coastal Central Queensland presents and have started to develop the following projects :
Rockhampton Region
• Boulder Creek Wind Farm
• Bouldercombe Solar Farm
• Bouldercombe Battery Storage
• Moah Creek Renewable Energy Project
• Mount Hopeful Wind Farm and Battery Storage
Gladstone Region
• Aldooga Solar Farm
• Iveragh Renewable Energy Project
• Raglan Solar Farm
• Rodds Bay Solar Farm
• Wooderson Renewable Energy Project
Banana Shire
• Banana Range Wind Farm
• Belmont Renewable Energy Project
• Mount Rainbow Wind Farm
• Specimen Hill Wind Farm
Livingstone Shire and Isaac Region
• Clarke Creek Wind Farm
Isaac Region
• Lotus Creek Wind Farm
EDF Renewables has recently acquired the Banana Range Wind Farm site from the discover Lacour Energy and construction is expected to start in the near future .
Likewise , Lacour Energy and Goldwind Australia are in negotiation to sell the massive Clarke Creek Wind Farm which has contracted to sell three quarters of its output to Stanwell Corporation .
Central Queensland already boosts four solar farms :
• 75 MW Rugby Run Solar Farm at Moranbah which was developed by Adani Renewables ;
• 72 MW Emerald Solar Farm Park which is operated by Lighthouse Infrastructure ;
• 25 MW Barcaldine Remote Community Solar Farm which is operated by Elecnor Australia ; and
• 17.5 MW Longreach Solar Farm which is owned by Diamond Energy .
IMPACT The development of the renewable energy sector has the potential to provide a massive injection into the Central Queensland economy , which until now has been focused on coal mining in the Bowen Basin and the production of coal fired power .
The Region currently has the following three large coal fired power stations :
• CS Energy ’ s 1525 MW Callide Power Station ;
• NRG Energy ’ s 1680 MW Gladstone Power Station ; and
• Stanwell Corporation ’ s 1460 MW Stanwell Power Station .
As these stations reach the end of their productive life , they can be replaced by dispatchable renewable energy which will include a mix of solar and wind power and battery storage .
In conclusion , we need to understand the opportunities which are presented by hydrogen are not restricted to the Sunshine State , but can be accessed by all Australian states and the Northern Territory . There ’ s space for all and Australia may well develop into a renewable energy behemoth supplying a wide range of global customers .
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
RACHAEL WRIGHT-COXON Rachael Wright-Coxon ( CPA ) is an Industry Engagement Advisor with Advance Rockhampton , the economic development arm of Rockhampton Regional Council and is responsible for renewable energy and education . Rachael has been involved in the accounting industry as a management accountant for over ten years and has previously worked in the power generation , waste and aviation industries . Rachael has a Bachelor of Accounting from CQUniversity , Australia and is also a registered member of CPA Australia .
RICK PALMER Rick Palmer is the Senior Executive Industry Engagement with Advance Rockhampton , the economic development arm of Rockhampton Regional Council . He ’ s been involved in economic development for more than 20 years and is currently responsible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business development
as well as education .
VOL 14 NO 2 2021 20 www . edaustralia . com . au