Cutting edge solutions to greenhouse gas challenge

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the State Government was investing in a range of initiatives to encourage new technology, renewable energy and smarter energy use.

“There’s global recognition of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Queensland is on the front foot,” Mr Wilson told State Parliament today.

“The State Government’s $50 million Queensland Energy Policy has helped diversify the state’s generation mix with hydro, gas, biomass, wind and bagasse.

“Our world-leading 13 % gas scheme requires retailers and other large electricity users to source at least 13% of their electricity from gas-fired generation.

“We have around 3,000 megawatts of gas-fired generation projects on the drawing board,” he said.

The Minister said there were a number of projects that reduced greenhouse gas emissions including the Windy Hill wind farm on the Atherton Tablelands, Australia’s only working geothermal power station in Birdsville, Swanbank E power station which is the country’s newest and most advanced gas-fired power station, Swanbank B’s landfill gas supply that generates green energy, a macadamia nutshell biomass plant in Gympie and a bagasse-fired plant near Childers.

“Some projects are big, some are small, and most are cutting edge technology. All up, they’re saving tens of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

“We’re also developing the state’s first solar farm at Windorah. And there’s ZeroGen – a world-first demonstration power plant outside Rockhampton. It’ll be the first in the world to integrate the technologies of coal gasification and carbon capture and storage,” Mr Wilson said.

The Minister said the amount of carbon dioxide captured would be similar to taking 93,000 cars off the road for a year.

“There is the CS Energy’s OxyFuel project near Biloela. It’s expected to demonstrate that our coal fleet can be retro-fitted with oxyfuel technology, which will achieve even deeper cuts to carbon emissions,” he said.

The Minister said the smarter use of energy was the backbone of the State Government’s $14 million Energy Choices election commitment.

“We’re putting our money on the table, rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of addressing this very real threat to our environment,” Mr Wilson said.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819