The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has welcomed international investment in the 300-megawatt Rodds Bay Solar Farm, 50 kilometres south of Gladstone, which is expected to create more than 300 construction jobs.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today said UK investment group United Green will acquire a majority stake in the project, which will be one of Australia's largest renewable energy projects.
"The Rodds Bay solar farm is an example of central Queensland's huge potential to be a thriving hub for clean energy," said ACF's Jason Lyddieth.
"The world is moving away from burning dirty fuels like coal, oil and gas.
"The jobs of the future are in renewable energy and Queensland could be a renewables powerhouse.
"The Queensland Government needs a plan to build renewable-powered industries of the future, like clean steel and aluminium, hydrogen and renewable exports.
"The Rodds Bay Solar Farm will create at least 300 jobs in the construction phase, as well as ongoing jobs once the project is generating electricity.
"The Queensland Government needs to get on with building big public renewables projects, run reverse auctions to support private industry, upgrade the grid and critical infrastructure and have a jobs plan to help Queenslanders into the employment opportunities of the future.
"Queensland can recover, rebuild and renew by engaging in ambitious project to build big renewables, but for this to happen, the government needs to lead."
