Townsville Enterprise (Tel) has welcomed Premier Anna Bligh’s Queensland Renewable Energy Plan – and has renewed calls for solar thermal energy generation in Northern Queensland.

In a press release to Magnetic Times, Tel said that the Premier’s announcement of funding for a study into an appropriate location for a solar thermal power station is timely. It follows the Federal Government’s announcement of $1.4 billion for the development of up to four power stations in suitable areas.

Townsville Enterprise Economic Development General Manager Lisa McDonald said regional development organisations from around northern Queensland had the foresight to produce a report that makes a compelling case for a Solar Thermal station in our backyard.

“Regional Development bodies from Mackay to Cairns and west to Mount Isa commissioned ROAM Consulting – one of the Queensland Government’s leading energy consultants – to produce a report identifying renewable energy opportunities in North Queensland.”

“The ROAM Consulting report identified a number of potential solar thermal sites and suggests that the North Queensland region is one of the best locations on the planet for this technology in terms of annual solar exposure.”

“We will be working with the State Government to ensure our region is considered as the ideal location for a solar thermal power station in Queensland.”

“We are confident that any study process undertaken by the State Government will identify North Queensland as a leading candidate for the technology. It’s as simple as looking at data publically available from the Bureau of Meteorology.”

“Renewable energy is Northern Queensland’s best option for providing generation to our region, and our region will need an increased energy supply by 2013/14 when our demand for energy will outstrip the current system’s ability to be able to supply energy from central Queensland”

“Quite simply our choices are either very significant investment in upgrading power lines to bring more energy up from the south, or development of renewable generation in our region – I think most people will understand what option will best suit northern Queensland”

Townsville Enterprise wants to see all northern Queenslanders get behind a solar thermal power station built in the region.

“Townsville has achieved recognition for its Solar Cities project – our northern Queensland region can build on that reputation to become the renewable energy powerhouse of Australia”