Queensland powers ahead with another renewable energy project

Energy Queensland, through Ergon Energy Retail, has entered a 12-year agreement with the Lilyvale Solar Farm in Central Queensland further cementing Queensland’s credentials as a renewable energy hub.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey, who made the announcement while visiting Emerald today, said the Power Purchase Agreement with Lilyvale Solar Farm secured an additional 100MW of renewable energy for regional Queenslanders.

The Lilyvale Solar Farm is being established by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Services Australia (FRV Australia) approximately 50 kilometres North-East of Emerald.

“This project will create around 200 jobs during construction, which will begin later this year and will power approximately 45,000 homes,” Mr Bailey said.

“Agreement with the Lilyvale Solar Farm is consistent with the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment of meeting our 50 per cent by 2030 Renewable Energy Target.

“The Palaszczuk Government is providing leadership in the area of renewable energy policy because the Turnbull Government continues to stick their head in the sand.

“We are taking a planned and measured approach to increasing the level of renewable energy in our energy mix which is leading to investment and jobs, particularly in regional Queensland – while maintaining affordability for consumers.

“The Palaszczuk Government is turning the Sunshine State into the Solar State, and this is proof of our progress,”

FRV Managing Director Cameron Garnsworthy said the company was delighted to be working with the Queensland Government.

“This agreement will deliver a significant new source of clean energy to business and residential customers,” Mr Garnsworthy said.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said Ergon Energy Retail had also signed a Power Purchase Agreement for the, 170MW Mount Emerald Wind Farm, as well as sugar mills and a range of other renewable energy generators.

“More than a billion dollars of renewable energy projects are in the pipeline for Queensland after three years of inaction under Campbell Newman and Tim Nicholls. Once built, these projects will effectively double the State’s large-scale renewable energy capacity,” he said.

“Energy Queensland will continue to investigate additional renewable energy generation projects to contribute to our target of 50 per cent of energy coming from renewable sources by 2030.

"Agreements like this are possible because our electricity assets remain owned by the people of Queensland." 

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister Bailey’s office – Amy Hunter 0423 651 484 / Zoe Russell 0428 079 640

Treasurer's office - Scott Forbes 0419 945 546

Ergon Energy – Brett Judge 0439 971 765