Legislation to create Queensland renewable energy generator, CleanCo, has been introduced to parliament.
When passed, the Bill will ensure:
- New CleanCo employees and people transferring from the other government-owned generators will have the same protections as other government-owned corporation employees
- CleanCo can be designated as a ‘state electricity entity’ subject to government directions
Queensland Minister for Energy, Anthony Lynham, said Queensland’s new publicly-owned generator would be all Queensland and all renewable.
“This is delivering on an election commitment and it will help drive down energy prices and support even more jobs in the renewable sector,” Dr Lynham said.
“CleanCo will be fully operating with its own generation assets this year and that means more jobs for more Queenslanders.
“This third, publicly-owned generator will help to increase electricity supply, driving down prices and cementing reliable supply for households, business and industry.
“It’s a long-term structural reform to the energy market that will give Queenslanders maximum competition benefits and increase investment in renewables in the longer term as we head towards a renewable future.”
CleanCo’s foundation generation assets will be transferred from the other two publicly-owned energy GOCs: Wivenhoe near Ipswich, from CS Energy, Stanwell Corporation’s Swanbank E gas-fired power station in the south-east, and Barron Gorge, Kareeya and Koombooloomba hydro plants in Far North Queensland.
Dr Lynham said CleanCo was key to the Palaszczuk Government’s strategy to create jobs and business opportunities in an export-orientated renewable energy sector.
“Queensland has seen 21 large-scale renewable energy projects commence operations in just over two years, and we have another $2.5 billion worth of investment on the books,” Dr Lynham said.
“Queensland consumers have taken up our renewable programs enthusiastically, with more than 2000 applications to my department for our latest interest-free loans and grants for solar and batteries.
“By keeping our electricity assets in public hands, we can deliver Queenslanders the cheapest power, the most reliable supply, and a steady transition to renewable energy and a strong renewables sector.”
