The Queensland government has announced a $7 million investment to support the establishment of a new renewable energy industrial precinct in Barcaldine.
The new Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone (BREZ) will be linked to a large-scale, renewable energy project and provide manufacturing tenants with competitive low-carbon electricity.
The government’s investment will go towards the costs of common user infrastructure, including road access, water, and sewer infrastructure to support the establishment of the BREZ precinct.
The project will be developed and delivered by Sunshot Industries, the Queensland government said in a media release.
A number of tenants have already expressed interest in establishing within the proposed BREZ precinct. This includes companies that plan to establish manufacturing facilities, including a proposed ammonia, hydrogen, and urea plant.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the new precinct will help in Queensland’s transmission to a decarbonised future and drive renewable energy generation potential.
“Barcaldine is ideally located, with solar and wind resources, and the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone precinct will support jobs in regional Queensland,” Miles added.
“Crucially, the establishment of BREZ provides an opportunity for the region to capture the economic benefit of this renewable energy resource and create employment in the region,” the deputy premier added.
Economist Professor Ross Garnaut said Queensland is well-positioned to use its rich renewable energy resources to accelerate its economic development.
“The new zero-emissions industry can bring full employment and rising incomes for a growing population for as far ahead as we can see,” Garnaut said.
“Barcaldine was chosen as the site for the first rural renewable energy industrial zone because of its existing energy infrastructure, access to rail and road and strong support from local and state Government. I’m very much looking forward to watching the BREZ make its distinctive contribution to an exciting new era of development in the Sunshine State,” he added.
