A new seven-year agreement between CS Energy and Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) will see operations at the Gold Coast and Townsville airports powered by green energy generated in regional Queensland.
From midnight 1 January 2025, operations at the two airports – which collectively service more than eight million passenger journeys a year – will switch to 100 per cent renewable energy.
Renewable energy projects from CS Energy’s offtake portfolio in regional Queensland – such as Kennedy Energy Park and solar farms at Columboola, Hughenden, and Moura – will help generate the 30GWh needed by Townsville and Gold Coast Airports annually to power operations, from lighting and air conditioning to escalators and charging stations.
CS Energy CEO, Darren Busine, said the agreement with QAL marks a significant moment for sustainable tourism and for the Australian aviation industry in its path towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
“As a proud Queensland-owned and based company, CS Energy is excited to partner with QAL on its renewable energy transition,” Mr Busine said.
“Our customers’ energy needs have evolved, and our business is evolving with them. As our customers work towards meeting their decarbonisation goals and navigating the energy transition, companies like ours have to be responsive to their changing needs, and be able to provide new innovations, new products, and new technologies to support them.
“We are delighted to be part of Queensland Airports Limited’s journey towards their net zero targets,” Mr Busine said.
The renewable energy switch is part of the new master plans for Gold Coast and Townsville airports, which are set for major expansions to support their anticipated passenger growth in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Gold Coast and Townsville airports are among Australia’s busiest, with annual passenger journeys set to double to 16 million by 2044 to help service demand generated by growing industry and tourism sectors in the two regions.
Shifting to 100 per cent renewable energy for operations at both airports is expected to be a major step towards QAL achieving its Net Zero 2030 target by offsetting almost 90 per cent of the organisation’s scope one and scope two emissions.
QAL CEO, Amelia Evans, said the collaboration with CS Energy demonstrates the airport operator’s commitment to decarbonising its operations, which is another step in its ambition to lessen its environmental footprint, while continuing to support increased connectivity, tourism and trade.
“Our airports operate in the natural landscape of their regions. This includes the Great Barrier Reef in Townsville, the Gold Coast’s incredible beaches, and the Cobaki environmental precinct,” Ms Evans said.
“We are looking to be environmental stewards in the regions that we serve, and this includes what we do to preserve our natural environment on a day-to-day basis.
“From 1 January 2025, we will be using green power across all our Gold Coast and Townsville airport operations including air conditioning, lighting, baggage carousels and way finding.”
The seven-year agreement between QAL and CS Energy runs until 31 December 2031.
