Published Monday, 18 February, 2008 at 03:54 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Mines and Energy
The Honourable Geoff Wilson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
$100 million for smart green energy solutions: Bligh
GOLD COAST: The Queensland Government is urging Queenslanders to make the most of $100 million on offer in two green energy packages.
Premier Anna Bligh, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson and Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara today urged business and researchers to carefully examine the $50 million Smart Energy Savings Fund and the $50 million Renewable Energy Fund.
“We need to use less energy and we need to find more sources of energy,” said Ms Bligh.
“These funds will encourage both.
“We’re putting our money on the table addressing the real threat to our environment. Queensland’s leading the way we want businesses and researchers to climb on board.
“We’ve set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 60% below our 2000 levels by 2050. Our efforts must focus on two fronts – cutting energy use and searching for new energy sources.
“It’s a simple. We want businesses to boost their investment in energy saving projects and technologies, and we’re putting up $50 million to help them.”
Minister Wilson said the Smart Energy Savings Fund will be available to businesses and applications will be sought twice a year.
“We’ll provide loans for up to 100% of the project’s value or a grant that will cover up to half the project’s capital value.
“Some projects may be big, some small. We’ll not discriminate because together, they’ll have the potential to save tens of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse emissions,” he said.
Mr Wilson said that the Renewable Energy Fund is offering financial incentives to help fuel Queensland into the 21st Century.
“We want clever companies to come forward with their ideas so that we can help turn their vision into reality,” he said.
“There are exciting possibilities for renewable energy and we’ve so much untapped potential.”
The Premier cited the $7 million from the Fund going towards a ground-breaking, solar thermal power station in Cloncurry as an ideal example of how the fund could be used.
“Cloncurry recorded the country’s hottest day – 53 degrees in the shade in 1889 – and that’s where solar thermal makes sense. It’s the ideal solution,” she said
Mr Wilson said the Renewable Energy Fund investment will help the State secure our share of the national 20% renewable energy target by 2020.
“The Renewable Energy Fund will help industry come up with innovative energy conservation solutions in areas like geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, bagasse and other renewable energy sources.
“We’re looking at technologies that can generate at least 100 kilowatts, industrial power projects with a carbon-neutral emissions profile and innovations that can produce a reliable electricity supply and meet local energy supply needs.
“Ideally, we’d like to see projects with the potential for wide-scale commercial application.
“Funding can be in the form of a loan for up to 100% of the project’s value or as a grant for up to half of the project’s capital cost,” he said.
Mr McNamara said more efficient use of energy is an important step forward in the State Government’s strategy to address climate change.
“Energy efficiency represents some of the most cost effective and often cost neutral greenhouse gas abatement opportunities across the economy,” he said.
Examples for the Smart Energy Savings Fund possibilities include:
Premier Anna Bligh, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson and Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara today urged business and researchers to carefully examine the $50 million Smart Energy Savings Fund and the $50 million Renewable Energy Fund.
“We need to use less energy and we need to find more sources of energy,” said Ms Bligh.
“These funds will encourage both.
“We’re putting our money on the table addressing the real threat to our environment. Queensland’s leading the way we want businesses and researchers to climb on board.
“We’ve set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 60% below our 2000 levels by 2050. Our efforts must focus on two fronts – cutting energy use and searching for new energy sources.
“It’s a simple. We want businesses to boost their investment in energy saving projects and technologies, and we’re putting up $50 million to help them.”
Minister Wilson said the Smart Energy Savings Fund will be available to businesses and applications will be sought twice a year.
“We’ll provide loans for up to 100% of the project’s value or a grant that will cover up to half the project’s capital value.
“Some projects may be big, some small. We’ll not discriminate because together, they’ll have the potential to save tens of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse emissions,” he said.
Mr Wilson said that the Renewable Energy Fund is offering financial incentives to help fuel Queensland into the 21st Century.
“We want clever companies to come forward with their ideas so that we can help turn their vision into reality,” he said.
“There are exciting possibilities for renewable energy and we’ve so much untapped potential.”
The Premier cited the $7 million from the Fund going towards a ground-breaking, solar thermal power station in Cloncurry as an ideal example of how the fund could be used.
“Cloncurry recorded the country’s hottest day – 53 degrees in the shade in 1889 – and that’s where solar thermal makes sense. It’s the ideal solution,” she said
Mr Wilson said the Renewable Energy Fund investment will help the State secure our share of the national 20% renewable energy target by 2020.
“The Renewable Energy Fund will help industry come up with innovative energy conservation solutions in areas like geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, bagasse and other renewable energy sources.
“We’re looking at technologies that can generate at least 100 kilowatts, industrial power projects with a carbon-neutral emissions profile and innovations that can produce a reliable electricity supply and meet local energy supply needs.
“Ideally, we’d like to see projects with the potential for wide-scale commercial application.
“Funding can be in the form of a loan for up to 100% of the project’s value or as a grant for up to half of the project’s capital cost,” he said.
Mr McNamara said more efficient use of energy is an important step forward in the State Government’s strategy to address climate change.
“Energy efficiency represents some of the most cost effective and often cost neutral greenhouse gas abatement opportunities across the economy,” he said.
Examples for the Smart Energy Savings Fund possibilities include:
- Natural lighting designs in a shopping centre can save more than 200 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
- Better quality air-conditioners, natural ventilation and glazing, can save thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
- A large hotel can reduce energy consumption by a fifth, and save around $50,000 a year, simply by monitoring and switching electrical equipment, putting in better air conditioners and energy-efficient lighting.
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Movement sensors that activate lighting in common areas such as toilets, meeting rooms and stairwell can also achieve deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Sensor lighting in stairwells alone, can save more than 26 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
The first funding round closes for the Smart Energy Savings Fund and the Renewable Energy Fund are 12 May 2008, and 26 May 2008 respectively.
Applications forms for both are at www.dme.qld.gov.au
Or contact DME via smartenergy@dme.qld.gov.au or renewable@dme.qld.gov.au
Media Inquiries: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Wilson’s Office 3225 1819
Minister McNamara’s Office 3336 8004