Queensland has called for early registration of companies wishing to tender for the installation of up to 100MW of energy storage before 2020, as part of the Palaszczuk government’s reverse auction for 400MW of new renewable energy capacity.
Launched on Monday, the Renewables 400 auction is a key plank of the Labor government’s Powering Queensland Plan – a $1.6 billion scheme, first unveiled in June, to help the state meet its 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.
Speaking from the Brisbane factory of lead-acid battery maker Century Batteries, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the plan included a “specific process” to secure up to 100MW of energy storage before 2020.
“Energy storage will play an important role in the transition to higher levels of renewable energy and this process will support the accelerated deployment of this important technology,” the Premier said.
Treasurer and Acting Energy Minister Curtis Pitt said that under the reverse auction process, companies would bid for Queensland government support for both renewable generation and storage projects – most of which would be situated in the state’s regions.
“This early registration provides adequate time to ensure they are ready to hit the ground running when the process opens,” Minister Pitt said.
“Successful bidders will be awarded financial contracts with the government for some or all of the electricity they generate which will provide them with long-term certainty allowing them to secure the financing required to deliver their project.
Pitt said successful bidders would be chosen not only on price but also with priority given to projects that supported local jobs and businesses, and “with a view to creating a diverse mix of renewable energy generation and storage to support a secure, reliable and affordable supply of electricity into the future.”
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