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Cheaper, cleaner energy powering more jobs

Queensland is creating jobs for a sustainable and affordable energy future to benefit Queensland communities, workers and our economy. This includes investing in initiatives and training to help stimulate the hydrogen sector and future hydrogen jobs in Queensland.

  • Jobs: Since 2015 Queensland’s cheap, clean energy has been delivering safe, secure and quality local jobs in existing and new industries.
  • Renewables: Our progress towards Queensland’s 50% renewable energy target is already delivering cheaper, cleaner energy.
  • Queensland-made: We want a future for Queensland where our energy is made by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders.
  • Hydrogen: We have invested more than $60 million as part of our Hydrogen Industry Strategy to kickstart job creating projects.

Jobs

The Queensland Government has committed $1.5 billion to:

  • increase the previous $500 million Queensland Renewable Energy Fund
  • establish the $2 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.

The Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund allows energy government-owned corporations to increase ownership of commercial renewable energy and hydrogen projects, as well as supporting infrastructure, including in partnership with the private sector. The existing skills and expertise from the energy government-owned corporations will be used to engage with market proponents and identify commercial investment proposals.

We will also continue our strong investment in renewable energy, while positioning Queensland at the forefront of future renewable hydrogen production.

  • The $2 billion committed to the fund is the beginning of an expected $10 billion transformation of the Queensland energy system over the next decade.
  • Our investment will focus on creating decent and secure jobs for thousands of electricians, plumbers, mechanical trades and engineers, and transport, distribution and warehouse workers.
  • We will consider legislation to codify our commitment to job security for energy workers as we transform our energy sector.
  • Support will be provided for our 9,500 strong workforce in our Government Owned Corporations with over $2 billion in annual capital investment.
  • We will develop a Queensland battery industry by supporting the uptake of electric vehicles in the government fleet.
  • Support will be provided to train and grow the workforce for future jobs in a transformed energy sector.

Renewables

Our remarkable growth of renewable generation in Queensland has helped keep costs down with wholesale prices halving since 2017. Retail electricity prices have fallen year after year, including the biggest decrease for regional Queenslanders in over a decade. Prices are forecasted to continue to decrease by 14% over the next three years.

To keep prices low and support job creating industries as we reach our renewable energy target, we will focus our investment to maximise benefit for local communities and workers, and maintain our commitment to publicly owned generation, whilst enabling job security in the energy sector.

  • $2 billion invested in the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen jobs Fund.
  • $145 million invested to establish our Queensland Renewable Energy Zones.
  • Establishing the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund to support our priority industries means we can develop hydrogen and renewable energy supply chains here in Queensland.
  • Significant investment in big, grid scale storage (like batteries and pumped hydro) to ensure reliability and security of the network as we grow our renewable generation.

Queensland-made

Renewable energy and hydrogen present an opportunity to grow local manufacturing jobs in Queensland and develop a true value chain to become a renewable and hydrogen superpower.

We will support the development of locally made renewable and hydrogen production components and provide certainty to manufacturers to set up operations in Queensland through a guaranteed pipeline of work.

We will prioritise businesses with ethical practices including those that:

  • deliver decent, secure jobs
  • manage healthy and safe workplaces
  • manage supply chains to optimise local benefits
  • meet the standards set by the Queensland Government.

We will focus on ensuring:

  • renewable projects back safe, secure and decent Queensland jobs
  • best practice workplace health and safety
  • priority is given to Queensland apprentices and trainees to provide a guaranteed future in the energy system
  • place-based goods, services and local employment are maximised.

Hydrogen

Queensland’s combination of significant renewable resources, world-class ports and long-standing trading partnerships, position Queensland to be a leader in the production and export of renewable hydrogen. We are well placed to capitalise on emerging hydrogen opportunities and to achieve our 50% renewable energy target.

Our Economic Recovery Plan has kickstarted investment into hydrogen and provides opportunities to create jobs through manufacturing of components, in decarbonising our heavy transport and shipping sectors, and in domestic and export markets.

By ensuring hydrogen provides the opportunity to support more Queensland jobs, we will drive investment in the regions and facilitate skills development for this emerging sector.

We have established the Queensland Hydrogen Taskforce to provide a clear pathway to a sustainable hydrogen supply chain in Queensland with a focus on:

  • creating jobs in the hydrogen sector
  • facilitating public and private investment
  • enabling an effective policy and regulatory framework
  • engaging with communities and stakeholders
  • supporting innovation and skills development for new technologies.
Last updated: 
10 June 2021