Queenslanders living in First Nations and storm-prone regional communities can now apply for funding to improve their energy independence and resilience through stand-alone electricity microgrids as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
Announcing the release of guidelines and opening of applications, Energy and Renewables Minister Mick de Brenni said the Palaszczuk Government’s new $10 million Queensland Microgrid Pilot Fund will accelerate work to more new-age, resilient power supply in across Queensland.
“The two-year program offers grants for communities on the edge of the electricity grid to deliver shovel-ready microgrid projects or provide support to develop future projects through feasibility studies,” Minister de Brenni said.
“We know that regional and remote communities endure tough weather conditions and are at risk of power outages so this fund is designed to support innovation to improve reliability of energy supply, create more local jobs, and help keep the lights on when extreme weather hits.
“Our plan is to help people to take advantage of Queensland’s clean energy revolution, by installing new renewable generation and storage, as well as contributing to the decarbonisation of regional Queensland,” he said.
Assistant Minister for the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 Lance McCallum said the program was a huge opportunity for First Nations communities who want to take more ownership over their energy independence.
“One of the program’s objectives is to demonstrate how the deployment of a microgrid will have unique benefits for First Nations people within the community,” Assistant Minister McCallum said.
“As a proud First Nations Queenslander I know how important energy resilience and independence for these communities can be.
“Microgrids will provide the ability to recover quickly or maintain energy supply during network outages caused by extreme weather events.
Minister de Brenni said programs like this provide real opportunities for our regions to benefit from the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan’s future of cheaper, cleaner and secure energy for Queenslanders.
“No one wants to be sitting back in years to come thinking we could have done more – the time for action is now,” Minister de Brenni said.
“Queenslanders care about the climate, they care about cost of living, and they care about protecting each other – our plan takes real action on all three.
"Our plan reduces household and business electricity emissions by 96% by 2040 – protecting the reef, taking real action on climate and responding to worsening natural disasters,” he said.
Grants from $250,000 are available for feasibility studies and up to $5 million to build microgrid projects that meet the program objectives and eligibility requirements.
For more information on the fund, go to:
www.epw.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/queensland-microgrid-pilot-fund
