Australia’s eastern state of Queensland yesterday unveiled plans to build the world’s largest pumped hydroelectric energy storage scheme in a major shift toward renewables for the fossil fuel-rich region.
The project, promised to be delivered by 2035, would be able to store 5 gigawatts of renewable energy — more than double Australia’s largest pumped hydro scheme, Snowy 2.0.
GLOBAL LEAD
“This is world-leading,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters. “We know that Queenslanders understand climate change. Today, the government understands that we need to take action.”
Queensland has long been one of Australia’s fossil fuel heartlands, with mining pouring nearly A$40 billion (US$25.5 billion) into the state’s economy in 2019-2020 — the largest contributor by far.
The pumped hydro scheme sits at the center of a new A$62 billion “energy and jobs plan,” which will also see Queensland legislate a target to generate 80 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2035.
Pumped hydro technology allows for the long-term storage of renewable energy — such as power generated by solar and wind — which is a key challenge for the transition to net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
‘GIANT BATTERY’
“We will use cheap solar electricity during the day to pump water up the mountain to store it,” Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. “Then at night we can release the water to generate electricity. It’s like a giant battery.”
While mining continues to dominate Queensland’s economy, voters in the state’s big cities have become increasingly concerned about climate change — many backing Green and climate-aware candidates in May elections.
A recent poll conducted by YouGov in resource-rich northern Queensland found 75 percent of those surveyed under 35 want the government to invest in renewables over coal or gas.
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