The granting of environmental approval for two Queensland renewable energy projects has propelled the Albanese Government past two major milestones, with more than 150 renewable energy projects Australia-wide, including 50 Queensland projects, approved since the May 2022 election.
The 150 projects will generate enough energy to power every home in Australia, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 84 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year which is the equivalent of taking 27.6 million passenger cars off the road.
The projects have also pumped tens of billions of dollars into the national economy.
The projects are located right across the nation and include 64 solar farms, 34 onshore wind farms, 20 energy storage systems, 18 infrastructure and exploration projects (including for offshore wind farms) and 14 transmission projects.
The Bungaban Solar Project in Queensland’s Western Downs region, a joint venture between Windlab and Squadron Energy, was the 150th project to be given the green light, while the neighbouring Bungaban Wind Farm was the 152nd (and 50th Queensland renewables project) to get the green light.
The 500-megawatt solar project was given the green light in just 20 business days after choosing a site on previously cleared and environmentally degraded land.
The 1400-megawatt wind farm received approval following a rigorous assessment process and must follow strict conditions to minimise its potential environmental impact.
Together the Australian-owned projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.92 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 1.83 million cars off the road each year.
The 50th Queensland project, Bungaban Wind Farm, is on the National Renewable Energy Priority List and a successful tenderer under the Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme.
It will also deliver a big economic boost for the region, creating around 1000 jobs at peak construction, 50 ongoing jobs, and injecting around $500 million into the local economy.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said hitting the century and a half milestone showed the Government was delivering a pipeline of reliable, renewable energy to power Australian homes and industry.
“Renewable energy is the cheapest and cleanest form of energy, and these 150 projects are creating jobs, unlocking investment and reducing emissions right across the country,” Minister Watt said.
“The Bungaban projects demonstrate the renewable energy transition in action, with the wind farm expected to help power the Boyne aluminium smelter in Gladstone, as it shifts from coal-powered power to cheaper, cleaner energy.
“These are exactly the type of job creating projects that simply wouldn’t go ahead under the Coalition’s plan to cut investment in energy, which would only drive up power bills.
“Our landmark environmental reforms will continue to help the renewables transition by making approvals faster, clearer and more predictable, while delivering better environmental outcomes.”
