Townsville Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Clean Manufacturing Hub
25 January 2022: Townsville Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Clean Manufacturing Hub
Solar Citizens today commends the Queensland Government for moving forward with plans to establish a $75 million critical minerals demonstration facility in Townsville. A number of critical minerals needed for clean technology, such as vanadium, cobalt and rare earth elements, will be processed onsite when the project is completed in 2025.
“North Queensland is perfectly placed to prosper as the world decarbonises because the region has some of the country’s best co-located solar and wind resources, great port facilities and deposits of key minerals needed to make renewable technology. We can harness all of these advantages to power up new clean manufacturing industries locally,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens.
“Today’s announcement, and the State Government’s ongoing support of the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct, show us that they are committed to investing in Townsville’s clean manufacturing potential. That being said, there’s still a lot more that can be done to unlock abundant cheap energy for the region that can underpin new industries.
“The grid desperately needs to be upgraded between Townsville and Hughenden to unlock the region’s abundant solar and wind resources. Unfortunately, this upgrade isn’t slated until 2035 in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
“What’s more, the future of the CopperString transmission project, which will connect Mt Isa to Townsville and provide cheap renewable energy to power critical mineral mining and industry in the North West, is still sitting with the State Government.
“Our research found that turning Townsville into a hub for renewable-powered manufacturing and renewable hydrogen production would create more than 5,350 ongoing jobs and 19,600 construction job years by 2030.
“But despite progress, we’re not going to see this exciting potential turn into reality unless we aim high, do the necessary planning, and build the right infrastructure to turn Townsville into a renewable industry and hydrogen powerhouse.”
[ENDS]
Media contact:
Stephanie Gray 0425 543 006
