CleanCo: Queensland’s newest electricity generator
11 March 2019
The Palaszczuk Government’s
support for
renewable energy and the
jobs it generates is continuing
after legislation to create
CleanCo was introduced to parliament today.
Energy Minister Anthony Lynham said
Queensland’s new publicly-owned
generator would be all
Queensland and all renewable.
“This is delivering on an election commitment and it will help drive
down energy prices and support even more jobs in the renewable sector,”
Dr Lynham said.
“Our support of the renewable energy sector means 4000 Queenslanders are
now employed in these jobs.
“CleanCo will be fully operating with its own generation assets this
year and that means more jobs for more Queenslanders.
“This is in stark contrast to the LNP where 1700 renewable jobs
vanished.
“This third, publicly-owned generator will help to increase
electricity
supply, driving down prices and cementing reliable supply for
households, business and industry.
“CleanCo will build, own, operate and maintain a portfolio of clean
energy assets for the benefit of all Queenslanders.
“It’s a long-term structural reform to the energy market that will give
Queenslanders maximum competition benefits and increase investment in
renewables in the longer term as we head towards a renewable future.”
CleanCo’s foundation generation assets will be transferred from the
other two publicly-owned energy GOCs: Wivenhoe near Ipswich, from CS
Energy, and Stanwell Corporation’s Swanbank E gas-fired power station in
the south-east and Barron Gorge, Kareeya and Koombooloomba hydro plants
in Far North Queensland.
Dr Lynham said CleanCo was key to the Palaszczuk Government’s strategy
to create jobs and business opportunities in an export-orientated
renewable energy sector.
“Queensland has seen 21 large-scale renewable energy projects commence
operations in just over two years, and we have another $2.5 billion
worth of investment on the books.
“Queensland consumers have taken up our renewable programs
enthusiastically, with more than 2000 applications to my department for
our latest interest-free loans and grants for solar and batteries.
“By keeping our electricity assets in public hands, we can deliver
Queenslanders the cheapest power, the most reliable supply, and a steady
transition to renewable energy and a strong renewables sector.”
Today’s bill, when passed, will ensure:
-
new CleanCo employees and people transferring from the other government-owned generators will have the same protections as other government-owned corporation employees
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CleanCo can be designated as a ‘State electricity entity’ subject to government directions.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Media contact: Jan Martin 0439 341 314
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