In the context of accelerating the achievement of carbon neutrality, the global energy transition is imminent. Australia, a major coal supplier to Asia, is expanding its energy interests and has high hopes for a series of major renewable energy projects. The government has approved several wind and solar power projects and expects Australia to become a major green hydrogen hub in the next decade. Now Queensland will be home to a supergrid, powered by renewable energy.
Although Australia still relies heavily on fossil fuel revenues, the government has announced a series of ambitious climate commitments. In 2022, the government announced a target of 80% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2035. The company also expects to wean itself off coal power by this time. Australia wants to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In September 2022, the Australian government unveiled the Queensland Supergrid Infrastructure Blueprint, which aims to decarbonise the state's electricity system. The government aims to invest heavily in wind, solar and pumped hydro projects, all of which will be connected to a supergrid of new renewable energy, storage and transmission lines by 2035. By 2035, about 22 GW of new solar and wind capacity is expected to be installed, an increase from the current 16 GW of fossil fuel and renewable energy mix. The government will consult local communities, hold expert group meetings and conduct a series of assessments of potential projects to ensure they have the support of Queenslanders.
Queensland's Minister for Energy, Renewable Energy and Hydrogen, Mick de Brennie, said it would be the largest economic transformation project the state has ever undertaken. The project is expected to boost employment in the region on a massive scale, adding a significant amount of renewable energy to Australia, as well as construction and other related jobs. This is in line with global trends in the direction of renewable energy jobs, which will add 700,000 jobs globally in 2021 alone. While there are fears of a recession in the energy job market, the green energy sector is expected to add more jobs in the coming decades due to the green transition in the fossil fuel sector in the wake of COVID-19.
Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said it was vital that traditional owners and communities design their own energy future and protect our biodiversity and rich cultural heritage. The chief executive of the Local Government Association of Queensland, Alison Smith, said there was no doubt they would get their fair share of the economic and social benefits of these mega projects. Key words: infrastructure, infrastructure construction, domestic engineering news, planning investment
If all goes well, the Queensland supergrid could provide a blueprint for other states and nations to follow. The ambitious project is expected to facilitate Australia's energy transition away from its heavy reliance on coal and create thousands of new jobs in the region. Supergrid will also make a significant contribution to Australia's carbon reduction targets and its overall green transition.
