Solar boom in Australia’s Queensland region

Solar boom in Australia’s Queensland region

The solar sector in Australia’s Queensland region is growing constantly. Projects with a total size of 4 GW are currently in the pipeline, and another 31 GW are awaiting financing.

The Australian state of Queensland has an ever-growing solar sector. By expanding its feed-in tariffs (FITs) for rooftop solar in regional areas earlier this month, smaller scale segments were jolted awake. Of all 23 solar and wind projects that were financed in Australia so far this year, more than half are located in Queensland, or so Sustainable Energy Research Analytics (SERA) reports.

 

Over 35 GW of solar and wind projects could soon become reality

These recently financed projects will make up 1.1 GW of solar and 800 MW of wind capacity. With these new projects, a total of 4 GW of projects is currently under construction or fully financed. Meanwhile, a remarkable further 31 GW are awaiting financing. “Competition is high in the race to secure financing and grid access, with 43 new assets added to the development pipeline in the last two months,” SERA explained. Thus, obtaining financing can be a challenge.

 

Queensland now creating more jobs in renewables than New South Wales

Recent reports say that Queensland has now created more jobs in the renewable energy industry than the previous Australian leader, New South Wales. The Renewable Energy Index estimates that 6,500 Queenslanders are working in the industry at the time being. Last month alone, a total 1,287 jobs were created, concentrating on the installation of rooftop solar systems.

Solar Citizens Queensland campaign manager Louise Matthiesson is excited about these developments. “This is a win-win-win situation for Queensland – the solar boom is creating jobs, cutting power bills and reducing climate pollution,” she said. “Right now there are 20 large-scale renewable energy projects under construction in the Sunshine State. Those projects are spread throughout regional Queensland, from Normanton to Dalby and they are creating enough jobs to employ 5,203 people full time for a year. Families and businesses are also joining the solar boom, with 4000 rooftop solar systems installed in Queensland during August.”