By Donna Jones
The Gympie region will play a large role in the Queensland Government’s budgeted capital investment of $19 billion over four years to meet its renewable energy targets.
Queensland Hydro, will invest $183.7 million to progress the 2GW Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project near Gympie.
Publicly owned transmission titan Powerlink will invest $193.8 million in 2023-24 to support the connection of major renewable projects to the supergrid, including the proposed 2GW Borumba pumped hydro energy storage project.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni was full of praise for the Budget promises.
“Only Queensland has such a comprehensive, detailed plan to transition its energy system in a way that creates 100,000 jobs, delivers job security to energy workers and slashes emissions.
“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is both bold and achievable, and the investments made in this Budget demonstrate how only Labor can sustain a strong economy and jobs in regional Queensland, as well as take real action on climate at the same time.
“Whether it’s in hydrogen, batteries, wind, solar, hydro, traditional generation, transmission, distribution or most importantly Queenslanders themselves, this Budget invests to ensure the Plan delivers on our target of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032,” he said.