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20/08/09New chapter for Queensland's energy sector
The Bligh Government is demonstrating that it's serious about tackling the energy sector's greenhouse gas emissions through a suite of actions announced today.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones and Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said the revised climate change strategy, ClimateQ: toward a greener Queensland included:
- Energy Conservation and Demand Management Program ($47.7million);
- Clean Energy in remote communities ($5million);
- Queensland Renewable Energy Plan; and
- Conditions for new coal-fired power generation.
Ms Jones said as one of the fastest growing and most energy intensive states in Australia, ClimateQ included a package of measures aimed squarely at reducing Queensland's overall energy consumption and reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources.
"The Bligh Government is partnering with electricity distributors Ergon Energy and Energex to deliver a demonstration project that will help customers reduce their energy consumption rates and save money on their energy costs in their home or business," Ms Jones said.
"Under the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Program, our aim is to realise potential savings of $4 billion in energy capital savings - about one and a half power stations - and 22,200 gigawatt hours by 2020.
"And it could also potentially lead to a scheme that rewards householders and businesses who demonstrate smart, efficient demand management and electricity use.
"It will complement the introduction of an emissions trading scheme in Australia but it also demonstrates that Queensland will not delay practical steps we can take now to reduce our carbon footprint and prepare consumers for its introduction.
"Producing energy and using it is the most significant contributor to our State's greenhouse gas emissions. The energy sector alone produced more than half of Queensland's emissions in 2007 - aided by strong economic and population growth our emissions have almost doubled since 1990."
Mr Robertson said should the demonstration program be successful and the measures be applied more broadly by Energex and Ergon across the network, billions of dollars in savings could be realised over the next ten years.
"For householders and communities, this could involve targeting major household appliances such as air conditioners, pool pumps and hot water systems, promoting solar water heating and more efficient lighting as well as the installation of smart meters.
"For large commercial and industrial customers, a range of measures could be considered such as more efficient air conditioning or fuel switching from electricity to gas.
"In addition, we will investigate customer reaction to a pricing model which rewards customers for managing their energy use at peak times.
"For example, a householder might use the washing machine or dishwasher earlier in the day or later at night and reduce demand on the electricity supply system at peak times. They may, in turn, be rewarded with a reduced tariff.
"The greenest kilowatt of energy is the one we don't use - our Government is committed to supporting and rewarding Queenslanders who are committed to lowering their energy use," he said.
"This program will work with large commercial and industrial energy users to invest in energy efficient equipment with the aim of reducing the growth in energy use and the need to expand or upgrade the electricity network."
Ms Jones said further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would be achieved by changing the way energy is supplied and used in 34 remote communities in Western Queensland, Cape York and the Torres Strait.
These communities are too remote to be connected to the State electricity grid and will need a mix of renewable energy, energy conservation, energy efficiency and education initiatives to tackle climate change.
"As a result, these 5,800 households rely almost solely on diesel fuel for electricity generation," Ms Jones said.
"Last financial year, 28 million litres of fuel was used to supply electricity to these communities. This amount of fuel would fill more than 11 Olympic-ized swimming pools and generated more than 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
"This initiative aims to reduce electricity consumption, and therefore diesel consumption, in these communities by 20 per cent over the next five years.
"If we reach this level of reduction, we will also reduce greenhouse gases by about 16,500 tonnes each year as well as reduce household electricity bills by up to $300 a year."
Mr Robertson said the State Government would implement a mix of solutions including a range of targeted policies and programs to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy demand, educating and empowering communities to make better decisions and introducing renewable energy technologies in some communities to support and supplement diesel generation.
"For instance, earlier this year, we announced a massive investment in the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan to make sure Queensland secures its fair share of renewable energy resources over the next 10 years," he said.
"The Plan aims to leverage up to $3.5 billion in new investment in Queensland's renewable energy sector, create up to 3,500 new green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 million tonnes.
"Further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be achieved through Conditions for New Coal-fired Power Generation and Electricity Demand Management Regulation initiatives.
"Together with the government's Q2 plan, the new Strategy provides a suite of new initiatives and investments to take Queensland's long term response to climate change into a new phase."
For further information visit www.climatechange.qld.gov.au
Media contact:
Minister Jones' Office: 07 3336 8004: Minister Robertson's Office: 07 3225 1819
Last Updated 03 November 2009
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