Solar Citizens have released a new report that has hit the headlines and it shows how Australia can build a bright economic future by using cheap renewable energy to power more Aussie manufacturing [1].
The new analysis Solar Citizens commissioned, Turning Townsville into a Renewable Industry and Hydrogen Powerhouse, found a staggering 11,000 jobs would be created in Townsville if it became a hub for clean energy industry.
Unfortunately, Solar Citizens are not the only ones making headlines in North Queensland. Right now a handful of Federal MPs and Senators are again pushing for a new uneconomical coal-fired power station in Collinsville – just as the Prime Minister has started to shift his language and back more clean energy manufacturing [2][3].
Solar Citizens are running a petition to state that we can’t risk more funding going to polluting coal in the next federal budget in May. Sign our petition today.
Our new report shows how Townsville can become a Renewable Energy Industry Precinct: a hub for advanced manufacturing that’s powered entirely by clean energy backed by storage and renewable hydrogen.
But it’s not just regional Queensland that can benefit from these exciting new opportunities – all across the country we can harness Australia’s renewable energy advantage to create abundant cheap electricity and drive more onshore manufacturing and minerals processing. We can make battery materials for electric vehicles and household storage right here!
Australia has all the key ingredients to benefit from the world’s transition to a low-carbon future. We’ve got some of the world’s best solar resources, key minerals required for clean technology, and a skilled workforce.
Around the country, 2.6 million solar homes and businesses are already seeing the savings from clean energy. Now Australia’s manufacturers are catching up and heavy industry is turning their attention to solar [4].
The report summary is available here, or the full report here.
[1] NQ ready to exploit new green energy. Townsville Bulletin, 10 March 2021. [2] Kennedy MP Bob Katter backs Collinsville coal-fired power station. Townsville Bulletin, 8 March 2021. [3] Morrison finally realises momentum has shifted on climate geopolitics, still promises nothing. RenewEconomy, 9 March 2021. [4] Mining majors pledge to electrify industry with renewables, batteries, EVs. One Step Off the Grid, 10 March 2021.Solar Citizens
http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/