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Sat, 1st Oct 2022 12:55:00 |
Queensland’s renewable energy plan confirms the politics of coal have changed for good |
Most now see opportunity instead of job losses – but Labor will have to match ambition with action if it’s to deliver on 80% renewables by 2035
The mayor of Mackay, Greg Williamson, wasn’t convinced by renewable energy.
About four years ago, I asked him about the energy transition; specifically, whether mining hubs like Mackay should start planning early to prevent the sort of economic shocks that would come as fossil fuel industries decline.
“Well, mate, hang on,” he said.
Williamson supported building a new coal-fired power station. He said solar was unreliable at night; that renewables provided only a small percentage of the state’s power grid.
“The industry has got a lot to prove yet.”
On Thursday, Williamson stood on the shop floor of a Mackay steelworks and said green energy would be “the future saver, the job protection” for regional Queensland.
This sort of scene was unimaginable four years ago; even 18 months ago. Williamson looking on approvingly as the premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, sold a (relatively) ambitious plan to curtail coal-fired power stations.
To do so in Mackay, the regional hub for Queensland’s coal country, and in front of a group of enthusiastic blokes in hi-vis, seemed surreal.
Finally, the reality of Queensland energy politics has become connected to reality.
In the bad old days of 2021, even talking about planning for the energy transition would provoke a fierce reaction from a cabal of deniers – from newspaper columnists to politicians – who could effectively stoke fear about job losses in the regions.
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