Department of Energy and Climate’s Post

We have a strong history of powering Queensland, and with the biggest energy transformation in more than 100 years happening now, we wanted to look back on the past. In 1882, electricity first came to Brisbane. By 1919, regional towns started to see the progression of electricity. By 1935, Barron River in Cairns had the first hydro station. We saw the state begin to connect in the 60s with interconnectors commissioned from Townsville to Mackay, Mossman to Murwillumbah and Winton to Hughenden. By 1975, all Queenslanders had access to electricity supply and in 2000 at the turn of the century, we saw the state's first significant wind farm open at Windy Hill. Queensland has proven time and time again it's a pioneer. Now, the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is leading the clean energy transformation. In fact, we’re on track to reach 80% renewable energy by 2035. Our renewable energy transformation is delivering a brighter future and cleaner world for everyone. You can read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/g_w-Kq_p #History #RenewableEnergy #Energy

Soon Townsville households will be able to share energy, bringing down energy bills and emissions. A Local Renewable Energy Zone (LREZ) will be established in Townsville, to help the community generate more renewable energy, store it and share it locally across the electricity infrastructure that already exists. Working hand-in-hand with Energy Queensland’s local network-connected batteries, the LREZ will allow the benefits of renewable energy to be shared amongst all customers, especially those who haven’t been able to invest in solar power, for one reason or another. The 2024-25 Queensland Budget includes $40 million for the Townsville LREZ pilot project and $240 million to build 18 new local network-connected batteries across the state to unlock energy sharing in Townsville. The projects are a major boost to local manufacturers and suppliers in many communities throughout the state. Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4bway1H #BatteryTechnology #QldEnergy #QldBudget | Energex | Department of Energy and Climate | Video courtesy of Energy Queensland.

🌍 Maximizing Renewable Energy Potential: Key Factors for Success in the Middle East 🌞💧🌬️ As we continue to shape a sustainable future, our region’s unique renewable energy (RE) resources provide us with immense potential. From the abundant sunlight to promising wind conditions, and geothermal prospects, there are a wealth of resources to harness. However, realizing this potential relies on three critical pillars: 1️⃣ Availability of Renewable Resources: The Middle East is fortunate to have extensive solar and wind resources, particularly favorable for large-scale solar PV and concentrated solar power (CSP) projects. Coastal areas with strong tides and wave activity also provide opportunities for emerging marine energy projects. Assessing the reliability and viability of these resources is essential to optimizing their usage. 2️⃣ Supportive Regulatory Framework: For RE projects to succeed, robust regulations on grid connection are necessary. A clear and streamlined framework helps ensure renewable projects are integrated into the grid efficiently, minimizing bottlenecks. In addition, financial support schemes such as feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, and green financing options are essential to encourage investment and drive innovation across the sector. 3️⃣ Technology & Skilled Workforce: Successful RE projects hinge on both reliable technology and access to skilled professionals. The rapid evolution of RE technology requires teams skilled in planning, construction, and long-term operations. Enhancing local capacity through training and development initiatives is crucial for achieving operational excellence in this dynamic sector. To drive a substantial progress in renewable energy development and pave the way for a sustainable, energy-resilient future, these pillars need to be aligned. #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #MiddleEastEnergy #GreenFuture #EnergyTransition

DP Energy secures approval for largest urban solar development in North America ☀️🌎 TL;DR: DP Energy has approved a groundbreaking 325 MW solar project in Medicine Hat, Alberta, set to become North America’s largest urban solar development, providing power for 250,000 households and cutting carbon emissions significantly. Highlights • Project approval by Alberta Utilities Commission for the Saamis solar project • Location in Medicine Hat, Canada’s sunniest city • Aligns with Alberta’s 30% renewable energy target by 2030 • Expected to offset 300,000 tons of carbon emissions annually • Utilizing a contaminated brownfield site for sustainable land use • Job creation across construction, operation, and supply chain sectors • DP Energy's experience includes 1.5 GW of renewables, with 9.7 GW in the pipeline #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #EcoFriendly #CleanEnergyRevolution #DP_Energy Article Source https://lnkd.in/gHqE8sKM

Community solar offers a promising avenue for individuals, businesses, and organizations to access solar energy benefits, even if they can't install panels on their own properties. By subscribing to or owning a portion of a community solar project, participants can still enjoy the advantages of solar energy, such as reduced electricity costs and environmental benefits, without the need for on-site installation. This model opens up renewable energy access to a broader demographic, including renters, low-income households, and those with properties unsuitable for solar panel installation. Additionally, community solar projects contribute to the overall expansion of renewable energy infrastructure, advancing sustainability goals and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The fact that community solar is experiencing rapid growth across the United States underscores its viability and popularity as a solution for expanding renewable energy access. Tracking installation data, as done by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helps to monitor the progress of community solar initiatives and inform future policy and investment decisions in the renewable energy sector (Energy.gov). Credit to: Energy.gov Photo by Town of Yorktown https://lnkd.in/dQh_pCT6 All images are copyright of their respective holders. #climatechange #sustainability #earth #nature #renewablenergy #renewables #renewableresource #renewablepower #decarbonization #cleanenergy #cleanpower #greenhousegases #ghg #windpower #windenergy #communitysolar

David Leitch at RenewEconomy has provided some important insights into the size of the opportunity in the South West Renewable Energy Zone in NSW. As he points out, the region is capable of supporting a significantly larger REZ (in MW) than currently forecast. Why? ✅Highly supportive community ✅Represents the “transmission junction” of Project Energy Connect, HumeLink and VNI West (we like to say that if you threw a dart into the NEM it would land on Dinawan) ✅Excellent wind speeds (materially higher than originally posed by AEMO’s 2022 ISP and draft 2024) ✅Solar irradiance is outstanding. We have always had a high conviction relating to this REZ, and we invested early in our two projects, Dinawan Energy Hub, which is positioned on the key Dinawan substation, and Mallee Energy Hub, on the far west side of the REZ. At that time this REZ was considered inferior to the others, and we are pleased to see it progress more rapidly now. As David points out, the opportunity is far greater – there are a number of other serious, well credentialled developers in the REZ who take community engagement seriously and are passionate about their projects, and we would be happy to collaborate with key stakeholders to unlock the full potential of this fantastic region. The key really comes down to transmission links all the way from Dinawan to Sydney, not just Humelink through to Bannaby Substation. Article: https://lnkd.in/gZYbzXaR #renewableenergyzone #malleeenergyhub #dinawanenergyhub

The UK continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to expanding its renewable energy infrastructure, with solar power playing a critical role in achieving national net-zero targets. I have read the article today (see link below) that the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council recently approved an expansion of the Blythe Solar Farm, increasing its solar capacity to 44.3MWp and integrating a 30MW battery energy storage system. This project is part of a broader strategy to support local councils, like Staffordshire Moorlands, in their efforts to become carbon neutral by 2030. In Somerset, the approval of several solar projects, including a 22MW development in Taunton, underscores the regional commitment to renewable energy. These projects are not just about increasing energy capacity but also enhancing biodiversity, with some developments achieving biodiversity net gains well above the national requirements. The UK government's continued support for solar energy and the recent adjustments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) reflect a recognition of renewable energy as critical national infrastructure. These policies emphasize the importance of renewable energy for national security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. As the UK continues to push forward with its renewable energy agenda, solar power remains at the forefront of this transition, driving both local and national efforts to create a sustainable and resilient energy future. #RenewableEnergy, #SolarPower, #NetZeroUK

𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆.  ⚡️Join VicGrid at All Energy Australia tomorrow to hear how the energy industry can prepare as Victoria upgrades its transmission network to enable the transition to renewables. In Victoria, we are putting in place a new approach to planning renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure. ✅This new approach features a long-term strategic plan, early and meaningful engagement with landholders and local communities, partnerships with First Peoples, fairer community benefit arrangements and certainty for investors.  Find out how can we work together to deliver the transmission infrastructure Victoria urgently needs, while also sharing the benefits more fairly and building community support. See you there!  𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝟭𝗽𝗺)   🎙️VicGrid Executive Director, Delivery Danny Benjamin will lead an impressive panel featuring Claire Cass from AEMO, Mark Westbrook from EnergyCo and Laurel Yu from Macquarie Group, to discuss investment opportunities. They will explore the challenges, opportunities, and the critical role of collaboration between government, industry, and communities, and how the industry can prepare for Victoria’s energy transition. 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝟭:𝟰𝟬 𝗽𝗺)  🎙️VicGrid CEO Alistair Parker will discuss renewable energy zone development and social licence in Victoria. VicGrid is engaging early and often with local communities and seeking to partner with First Peoples to minimise impacts and make the most of regional development opportunities. Alistair will outline how VicGrid is putting this new approach into practice and delve into a panel discussion with Michael Johnson from Lumea (Transgrid Group), Breannah Schubach from NGH Consulting, and Mark Hudson from WestWind Energy, to discuss the complexities of securing social licence for projects, and to delivering equitable benefit sharing. 👉 We’ll also be at the Victorian Government stand, M123, to chat about our approach and investment opportunities. Join us at the conference.  Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) EnergyCo Macquarie Group Transgrid WestWind Energy - Australia Clean Energy Council Solar Victoria All Energy Australia Victorian Government Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action #AllEnergyAU #RenewableEnergy #VicGrid #EnergyTransition #PowerTransmission #RenewableEnergyInvestment

Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) are gathering momentum in Australia's eastern states. NSW has been the first to move with its 20 year Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and the first of 5 REZs awarded to ACE Energy to be the network operator for the Central West Orana REZ. Victoria and now Queensland have followed suit with their own plan and program of REZs. Queensland government has recently appointed Powerlink Queensland as the REZ Delivery Body. In this role Powerlink will provide input to the REZ Roadmap, coordinate how renewable projects connect to the new transmission network in REZs and also engage with landholders, communities and other stakeholders. #renewableenergyzones #REZ #transmission #notransitionwithouttransmission https://buff.ly/3XhKwKx

As Canada looks to promote renewable energy and prioritize sustainable living, the path to net zero is becoming clear: it’s time to invest in solar energy.   Industries with a large energy utilization, like #manufacturing & #logistics and #agriculture, can achieve reduced energy consumption, increased cost savings and energy independence by adopting solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.   With Canada’s Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit (#CTITC) offering businesses up to a 30% tax credit on the cost of new solar installations, and our solar-as-a-service model offering businesses solar energy at $0 upfront, making the shift to solar has never been more affordable and accessible.   We’re partnered with MySolar Group Ltd. to help businesses achieve their renewable energy goals through solar energy adoption. To learn more about MySolar Group Ltd. visit https://lnkd.in/guEx2jGi #renewableenergy #solarenergy #netzero #energygoal #sustainableliving #EnbridgeSustain #MySolar