The Queensland Greens say the Labor State Government’s upcoming 10-year Energy Plan must include a closure timeline and workforce support measures to transition the state’s coal-fired power stations to renewable energy by 2030.
Energy spokesperson Michael Berkman proposed a closure timeline which would see the state’s ageing coal-fired generators phased out over the next eight years, accounting for the three-year notice periods required by the AEMO.
Michael Berkman:
“Queensland Labor is talking a big game about building renewables, but their emissions targets are the real elephant in the room. If they don’t stop burning coal by 2030 we’ll breach our Paris obligations and cook our climate.
“We’re lucky in Queensland to own our power stations, so the government can implement the energy transition demanded by climate science, while ensuring no worker loses their job or pay.
“The upcoming energy plan must bring forward closure dates for the state’s coal-fired generators to 2030 at the latest, and set out a jobs and income guarantee for transitioning coal workers.
“They should also lobby their federal colleagues to support the Australian Greens’ National Energy Transition Authority Bill, and use that to support locally determined transition plans for affected communities.
“If they release a roadmap that says we want to keep burning coal beyond 2050 - the current plan - Queensland will be laughed out of the room next time we pretend to care about climate, and hundreds of workers will be left to the whims of the market.
“Coal workers have kept the lights on in Queensland for decades. The government owes them a fair go, not more fairytales about burning coal forever.”
Proposed timeline for Queensland coal-fired power station closures
|
Station |
Listed closure |
Greens proposed closure |
Commissioned |
|
Callide C |
None submitted |
2025 |
1989 |
|
Callide B |
2028 |
2026 |
1988 |
|
Gladstone |
2035 |
2027 |
1976 |
|
Tarong |
2036 |
2028 |
1984 |
|
Stanwell |
2046 |
2029 |
1993 |
|
Tarong North |
2037 |
2029 |
2002 |
|
Millmerran |
2052 |
2030 |
2002 |
|
Kogan Creek |
2042 |
2030 |
2007 |
Background
Tomorrow (27 September) Queensland Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne will also move a bill in Federal Parliament to establish a national Energy Transition Authority that would:
- fund and approve locally developed plans for coal and gas communities to transition away from fossil fuels;
- create new economic opportunities; and
- ensure every coal worker is guaranteed a job at the same or better pay.