The announced early closure of the Gladstone coal power station today is evidence that heavy industry and the private sector are getting on with the transition to cheaper renewable energy, says the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC), as they urge the Crisafulli Government to put ideology aside and plan for the timely closure of the state-owned coal power stations.
QCC says the planned closure of the Gladstone coal power station is vital to provide certainty to the community, heavy industry and the renewable energy industry, and protect more than 3,000 local jobs.
Gladstone power station is Queensland's oldest and largest coal-fired power station. Its unreliability has increased with age, and it's the second least available coal power station in the country.
Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said:
"Rio Tinto is Queensland's biggest energy user and they've made it clear they can't keep their Gladstone operations and smelter globally competitive relying on expensive coal power.
"Rio Tinto have made this decision based on their economic assessment that renewable energy with storage is cheaper and more reliable than an ageing coal power station.
"We are calling on the Crisafulli Government to stop playing politics, and be upfront with the community by planning for the timely closure of the state's other ageing coal power stations.
"It's vital that governments are honest about the need to replace our ageing coal power stations, so that we get the planning right, build enough replacement renewable energy and set up new clean industries to future-proof regional economies.
"The Premier can't put his head in the sand any longer. He can't ignore that the failure to replace our ageing coal power stations is jeopardising regional Queensland communities by failing to plan for the necessary transformation of our energy system and economy.
"We can't keep throwing billions of taxpayer dollars at failing and polluting coal, and cross our fingers and hope it will keep the lights on.
"We're calling on the State Government to deliver an energy plan on 10 October that provides certainty for communities and industry by mapping out the timely closure of the State's coal clunkers. If Rio Tinto can do it, so can they.
"If the Crisafulli Government is serious about keeping coal open for 'many, many decades' they're committing to break their pre-election climate action promise to Queenslanders, and wiping their hands clean of their responsibility to protect the Great Barrier Reef."
QCC Gladstone Local Environment Advocate Emma Smith said:
"As a Gladstone local, I'm pleased that Rio is planning for the future and getting on with repowering their Gladstone refineries and smelter with renewable energy backed by storage.
"Our community has been the powerhouse of Queensland for decades, and we can be for decades into the future if we plan for changing global demand and build new clean industries backed by renewable energy.
"Our community is in transition and depends on getting this right, which is why it's been challenging to watch the Queensland Crisafulli Government play politics by axing renewable energy and clean manufacturing projects.
"Queensland's heavy industry and the private sector are getting on with the energy transformation. It's time for our elected leaders to stop delaying progress and plan for the future of our communities."
