QRC backs new base load power in the North

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomes the state government’s proposal to increase base load power in North Queensland with the potential expansion of Burdekin Falls Dam.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said all options need to be on the table to secure the state’s future energy mix.
 
“The establishment of a small hydroelectric power station at the state’s largest dam will add much needed supply into the east coast electricity market,” Mr Macfarlane said.

Mr Macfarlane also urged the Queensland Government to consider the development of the Tully Millstream Hydro project to provide even more base load power in North Queensland.
 
“Once again Queensland is setting an example for southern states on how to run a balanced energy policy by considering all options - coal, gas, renewables – to deliver affordable, reliable energy,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“But if we are to be agnostic in terms of the sources of energy the government should also support the addition of a modern high efficiency, low emission (HELE) power plant in Townsville, using some of the highest quality, low emission coal in the world right here in Queensland.
 
“If this region is to generate jobs and develop to its full potential it must have its own stable power generation including both hydroelectricity and coal-fired power supply,” Mr Macfarlane said.
 
The state government's Burdekin plan is to generate up to 150 gigawatt hours, lift the dam’s capacity and is seeking federal funding for the project through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).

“The federal government has plenty of business cases for new Queensland infrastructure with Burdekin Falls Dam and the proposal for new gas pipelines from the Bowen and Galilee Basins,” Mr Macfarlane said.

www.qrc.org.au

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