Qld to install batteries at coal plantsFraserBartonQueensland...

Qld to install batteries at coal plants

FraserBarton

Queensland will install renewableenergy components at coal-fired power plants, but the state government isambiguous about plans for using fossil fuel electricity generation.

EnergyMinister Mick de Brenni said adding battery storage and hydrogen productionfacilities to power plant sites would be in the government’s 10-year energyplan, due to be released this year.

He said the installations would create 48,000 construction jobsand help Queensland’s transition to net zero.

“Soour existing power stations will become energy hubs,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Andso we’ll have our traditional turbines there, we’ll add to those synchronouscondensers, we’ll have battery storage, hydrogen production, and a range ofother services, to the broader energy system from those power stations.”

But the minister would not say if orwhen fossil fuel generation would be phased out entirely, saying oil and gaswould need to be in Queensland’s energy mix for some time.

“Ofcourse, we’re already seeing a worldwide shift from fossil fuels, but thereality is they will continue to play a key role,” he said.

“Wewon’t be closing the gate on any of our traditional thermal generators.

“Theywill be continuing to perform an important function, varied functions into thefuture as they support the greater uptake of solar wind and initiatives likepump storage.”

Thegovernment wants 50 per cent of energy consumed to be renewable energy, and tocut carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

Almost80 per cent of energy comes from fossil fuel, while about 20 per cent comes from renewables.

Queensland’swholesale electricity prices leapt to a record $283 per megawatt hour in May,and are the highest in the nation. Experts blame its reliance on fossil fuel.

Thestate government is wiping about $14.60 off monthly household bills thisfinancial year, which are set to rise 10 per cent.

Queensland’spublic coal and gas generators are forecast to rake in large dividends over thenext two years, according to the state budget.

The government is spending twice as much on fossil fuel plantsthis year as it is on installing new renewable energy storage.

Mrde Brenni on Wednesday toured Australia’s first hydrogen refuelling station inthe Brisbane suburb of Lytton.

Thefacility will open later this year with five of the state government’shydrogen-powered Hyundai NEXO’s to use it.

BOCSouth Pacific managing director John Evans said the refuelling station pavesthe way for more infrastructure to facilitate hydrogen trucks and buses.