A new deal with publicly owned generation company CleanCo Queensland will see Ipswich City Council’s facilities powered entirely by renewable energy.
The contract will enable Ipswich City Council to power 100 per cent of its major buildings and streetlights from renewable sources, significantly reducing the city’s carbon footprint and marking a pivotal moment in its sustainability journey.
Council infrastructure will be supported by the Dulacca and Kaban wind farms and backed by CleanCo assets like Wivenhoe Pumped Hydro Power Station.
The Queensland Government said that CleanCo’s Swanbank Clean Energy Hub, which will soon be home to the Swanbank Battery, exemplifies Queensland’s commitment to innovative and sustainable energy solutions in Ipswich and across the state.
Queensland Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, said, that the State Government is acting to keep prices down and expand its clean energy future through the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
“We’re ensuring the benefits of our plan for Queensland delivers energy security for local communities.
“The Queensland Government’s vision and newly legislated targets for renewable energy and decarbonisation has meant initiatives like this landmark deal will contribute to better outcomes for all communities,” Mr de Brenni said.
“Locals should be proud to know that when they walk down the main street of Ipswich, all major council buildings and lights are powered by renewables.”
Queensland Member for Bundamba, Lance McCallum, said, “This deal proves what we can achieve when we back local jobs and publicly owned energy.
“This deal is lighting up a bright future for Ipswich with our big build of renewable energy, and it’s happening right here at our local Swanbank Clean Energy Hub.
“The workers at Swanbank Power Station are at the heart of this transformation; they’re not just keeping the lights on in Ipswich, they’re powering our city’s future with clean, renewable energy,” Mr McCallum said.
“Queensland’s Big Build of renewable energy is delivering results – from job creation to sustainable power solutions for communities like ours, and it’s Swanbank setting the nation’s pace.”
Ipswich Mayor, Teresa Harding, said, “Ipswich City Council is delighted to partner with CleanCo to deliver one of our major sustainability goals of 50 per cent emissions reduction, by powering our major council buildings and thousands of streetlights with renewable energy.
“This partnership will switch almost 30,000 streetlights over to renewable energy, while powering our major facilities such as council’s administration building, Ipswich Central Library and Art Gallery,” Ms Harding said.
“Knowing that CleanCo is operating right here in Swanbank will further cement our commitment to delivering sustainable, climate-friendly initiatives for our city.”
Ms Harding said that reducing the council’s carbon emissions will deliver real benefits for the city and continue the focus on delivering council’s Sustainability Strategy 2021-2026.
“I’m delighted that we have reached this agreement with CleanCo and look forward to our city being lit by renewable energy,” Ms Harding said.
CleanCo CEO, Tom Metcalfe, said that CleanCo is thrilled to partner with Ipswich City Council to support its ambitious sustainability goals.
“This agreement with Ipswich City Council is a testament to CleanCo’s mission to lead the decarbonisation of Queensland’s energy sector while fostering economic growth and job creation in local communities,” Mr Metcalfe said.
“Our investment in renewable energy projects across Queensland, including the 250MW, two-hour Swanbank Battery in Ipswich, means we are poised to provide reliable and sustainable energy that aligns with our customers’ goals and contributes to a clean energy future.
“We are proud to support Ipswich City Council as more communities right across Queensland seek opportunities to decarbonise as we move towards a net zero future.”
Image credit: Alex Cimbal/shutterstock.com
