- Crisafulli Government backs Government Owned Corporations to invest in greater energy supply.
- Stanwell adds Lockyer Energy Project near Gatton to diverse portfolio.
- Up to 120MW gas-peaking generation in Stage 1 will supply affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to thousands of homes at peak demand.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering another key energy project to ensure Queenslanders have affordable, reliable and sustainable power when they need it most. Government Owned Corporation Stanwell has acquired the Lockyer Energy Project from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, with Stage 1 including up to 120 megawatts (MW) of gas-fired generation and the potential for up to a further 850MW of capacity in Stage 2. The gas-peaking project near Gatton will provide additional fast-ramping, dispatchable energy for about 27,000 homes and businesses during daily peak demand. Located roughly 75 kilometres west of Brisbane, the project is strategically located in an energy distribution hub at the intersection of the Roma-to-Brisbane gas pipeline and a 110kV electricity network substation. Following the acquisition, Stanwell is now working on project development activities, including early procurement and landholder engagement.
Setting a foundation for the Crisafulli Government's five-year energy plan, in 2025-26 Government Owned Corporations will invest more than $5 billion across the energy supply chain.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said the Crisafulli Government was committed to meeting Queensland's energy needs and putting downward pressure on power prices. "Unlike the former Labor Government, we're making decisions in the energy sector to primarily support Queensland households, businesses and industry," Minister Janetzki said. "We're backing Government Owned Corporations to invest in the energy projects Queensland needs, like gas and smaller more manageable pumped hydro. "Investing in projects like this is critical to delivering an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system. "We've also implemented our Electricity Maintenance Guarantee across all state-owned power generators – a $1.6 billion investment over the next five years to improve reliability." Stanwell CEO Michael O'Rourke said dispatchable energy was critical to ensuring sufficient, reliable supply during periods of peak demand. "Gas-fired plants, as well as other firming and storage projects like battery and pumped hydro complement our existing portfolio by providing fast-ramping, dispatchable energy on demand to the market and our customers," Mr O'Rourke said.
