Queensland companies have been encouraged to register their interest for future tenders and opportunities in support of the State’s $62 billion plan for a new renewable energy SuperGrid.
Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan released in September 2022 sets out a path to transform the state’s electricity network with $62 billion worth of public and private investment over the next 15 years.
The monumental task will require extensive investment in new renewable technologies, offering domestic manufacturers ample opportunity to assist in delivering new projects.
Over the next 13 years, delivery of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will require:
- More than 2,000 wind towers and nacelles
- More than 7,000 wind tower blades
- Almost 25 million solar PV modules
- Nearly 7,000 batteries
Queensland’s Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, the plan clearly shows the renewable energy opportunity Queensland has at its fingertips.
“By applying our Buy Queensland procurement approach to the SuperGrid construction we can aggregate demand for components that have traditionally been wholly imported, and instead start an industrial-scale manufacturing revolution,” Mr de Brenni said.
“Our state already has the ingredients to become one of the most significant renewable energy powerhouses in the world, and we know Queenslanders are keen to make more things here and so are we.
“Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and the Buy Queensland procurement approach means the publicly-owned power companies will work with businesses to seize this opportunity and build entire new manufacturing supply chains to deliver this transformational infrastructure.
“We’ve already backed the construction of a hydrogen electrolyser plant in central Queensland and we’re keen to get moving on batteries, transmission, electric vehicle, wind and solar farm component manufacturing too.”
Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, said the government had enlisted the Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) to conduct a confidential market sounding process that would identify manufacturing opportunities.
“We have been clear from the start – both public and private sector capital is needed to deliver the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan,” Mr Miles said.
“A significant opportunity exists to develop domestic manufacturing supply chains for the components which feed into the large-scale and industrial renewable systems.
“On behalf of government, QTC is conducting a market sounding process to look at the existing capability and readiness of Queensland businesses to do this work.
“Importantly, it will also convey to government the roles it could play in supporting the industry to bring the local manufacturing opportunities to life.
“I’m calling on businesses to register their interest and be part of the market sounding.
“This information will be reported to government in March 2023 to inform the release of requests for proposal later in 2023.”
Registrations for interest in QTC’s market sounding can be made here.
