Renewable energy in Far North Queensland

Far North Queensland is where the rainforest meets the reef, and it’s where Queensland’s renewable energy transformation is meeting the challenges of climate change.

Around $6.6 billion is expected to be injected into local clean energy projects by 2040.

This investment in Far North Queensland will help us reach our carbon emissions reduction target of 75% (below 2005 levels) by 2035 and net zero by 2050. Reducing the impacts of climate change will help protect and create jobs in tourism and agriculture.

Regional centres in Far North Queensland include Cairns, Atherton and Cooktown.

Energy strengths

With rich, renewable energy resources, Far North Queensland has harnessed its natural power like hydroelectricity and biofuels for decades. Barron Gorge and Kareeya hydroelectric power stations have both produced renewable energy for over 50 years.

More recently, renewable energy technologies suited to the landscape, like solar and wind energy, have been added to the mix, with more solar and wind farms in the pipeline.

The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan ensures the unique beauty of Far North Queensland is maintained, while delivering new jobs for locals.

Open-cut mining is to resume at Mount Carbine mine, about 130km north-west of Cairns, for critical minerals like tungsten.

Abandoned mine Wolfram Camp west of Cairns is also being revived as part of the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan and Critical Minerals Strategy.

Renewable energy zones

Together, North and Far North Queensland have been identified as regions with high renewable potential.

The region has the potential to help the state reduce its carbon emissions while continuing to protect our natural environment.

Coordinated development of clean energy infrastructure through Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) will maximise benefits for regional communities. A REZ is under development in Far North Queensland that is expected to connect 500 to 700MW of installed generation.

Remote communities

Far North Queensland is home to many of Energy Queensland’s isolated networks. Several initiatives have been introduced to decarbonise these networks and strengthen remote electricity supply.

A key priority is reducing the reliance on diesel generators, replacing them with smaller-scale renewable energy infrastructure like wind, solar and batteries.

The 2023-24 Queensland Budget included $28 million to reduce Boulia, Burketown, Doomadgee and Windorah’s reliance on fossil-fuelled power (tranche one sites). All 4 projects will achieve approximately 50% renewables (stage one of their decarbonisation) and are planned for completion in June 2025.

In Doomadgee, Ergon Energy will install 4.5MW of solar PV and 4MWh of energy storage, forecast to save around 680,000L of diesel and $1.36 million per year.

The Decarbonising Remote Communities program has partnered with 4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils. More than 1,000kW of solar generation and 32kWh of battery storage was installed across 28 community-owned properties in Doomadgee, Mapoon, Pormpuraaw and the Northern Peninsula Area.

The Queensland Microgrid Pilot Fund aims to overcome reliability issues in regional and First Nations communities. The program also aims to build resilience to extreme weather events. These objectives will be achieved by enabling local generation of clean, reliable and affordable electricity that can operate independent of the network.

Spotlight on pumped hydro

Kidston Clean Energy Hub, located west of Ingham, will unlock a large energy storage facility for Far North Queensland. This will create an estimated 900 jobs during construction.

After being a mining community for a century, Kidston is undergoing a major transformation. The 2 large disused pits that made up the old gold mine are being converted into a pumped storage hydro project. The Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project is a world-leading transformation project and will be combined with solar and wind renewable energy assets.

A new 275kV transmission line is being constructed by Powerlink Queensland for this pumped hydro project, which is expected to be completed in 2024.

Wind farm investment

The Kaban Green Power Hub renewable energy project near Ravenshoe in the Atherton Tablelands includes a 157MW wind farm and network upgrade. Publicly owned energy company CleanCo has signed an agreement to purchase all the energy generated.

The project includes 28 wind turbines, as well as 320km of transmission line upgrade, and will produce energy to power around 95,000 homes.

The government is investing $40 million to upgrade transmission lines to connect the Kaban Green Power Hub to the National Electricity Market. This infrastructure between Cairns and Townsville will also unlock additional renewable energy capacity in the North and Far North REZ.

Training opportunities

Cairns State High School is 1 of 32 schools across the state involved in the Hydrogen Gateway to Industry Schools program. Year 9 to 12 students are given access to hydrogen-related STEM knowledge and receive industry exposure to production, engineering, storage and distribution.

How we generate electricity in Queensland

View Queensland’s electricity generation map.

Landholder opportunities

Opportunities exist for landholders to host renewable energy projects. The Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit can help you with the decision-making process.

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