Skills Training Key to Unlocking Townsville’s Hydrogen Potential
12 July 2022: Skills Training Key to Unlocking Townsville’s Hydrogen Potential
Solar Citizens this morning welcomes an announcement that TAFE Queensland and Ark Energy Corporation Pty Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver training for Queensland’s emerging renewable hydrogen industry.
“North Queensland is the cheapest place in Australia to produce renewable hydrogen because of the region’s impressive solar and wind resources,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director at Solar Citizens.
“There are three major renewable hydrogen projects proposed for Townsville that could create thousands of jobs. It’s great to see the State Government is getting on the front foot and ensuring our workforce is ready to step into these roles.”
A report by Solar Citizens found that up to 25,000 jobs, including 5,350 ongoing jobs and 19,600 construction jobs, would be created in Townsville by 2030 if the city becomes a Renewable Energy Industrial Precinct – a hub for manufacturing and industry that’s entirely powered by renewable energy.
The Palaszczuk Government is investing $50 million to support training in renewables and hydrogen, including $10.6 million for a Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training facility at TAFE Queensland’s Townsville Trade Training Centre. This comes after the Federal Government pledged $70 million to turn Townsville into a hydrogen hub in the lead up to the election.
“The next step to turn Townsville into a renewable-powered hub for manufacturing is for the state and federal governments to declare the city Australia’s first Renewable Energy Industrial Precinct and ensure exciting local proposals to manufacture solar panels and battery storage move ahead,” said Ms Gray.
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Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425543006
