Renewable energy

The increased use of renewable energy is an important component of the Queensland Government's strategy to manage climate change.

Renewable energy, or energy derived from sources that cannot be depleted, will contribute to the ongoing sustainability of Queensland's energy sector and help deliver a low-carbon future. Renewable energy sources include:

solar (e.g. photovoltaic or solar thermal)
wind
geothermal (dry geothermal - heat energy extracted from hot rocks deep in the earth's crust, wet geothermal - energy derived from hot ground water or steam - artesian bores, hot springs)
biomass (e.g. bagasse from sugar cane waste and methane from land-fill and sewerage treatment plants)
hydroelectricity
wave and tidal power.

These elements could all play a part in Queensland's renewable energy mix.

Currently, most of Queensland's renewable energy is provided by sugar cane waste (bagasse). It accounts for 70 per cent of renewable energy generated in Queensland. The use of biomass (bagasse) as an energy source has added value to Queensland's sugar industry.

Queensland also has plentiful solar and geothermal resources, which have the potential to produce more energy in the future than any other renewable energy source in Queensland. The Queensland Government is investing in this clean energy potential to secure environmentally sustainable energy.

The Queensland Government is currently investing in a number of renewable energy initiatives including the:

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Last Updated 14 September 2009