- Queensland government invests in renewable energy education
- New facility will train both existing electricians an apprentices
- The state has a target of 50% renewables by 2030
Construction kicked off today on what will become the Pinkenba Renewable Energy Training Facility (RETF), a $23 million investment into Queensland’s renewable energy sector.
The facility is hoped to prepare the state’s workforce for the renewable and hydrogen energy industry of the future.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the investment would help Queensland to meet its target of 50% renewables by 2030.
“We need facilities like this now, so trainees and apprentices can develop the skills they need to ensure Queensland is ready to go as interest in and the need for renewable energy and hydrogen worldwide soars,” she said.
“With our abundance of solar and wind, Queensland is the ideal candidate to produce hydrogen for domestic and international use.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Premier
The RETF will train up to 300 students at a time. Students will include both apprentices and qualified electricians wishing to upgraded their skills to handle renewable energy equipment.
It will be the state’s only training facility to accommodate a Certificate IV Electrical in Renewable Energy qualification.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer explained that the facility will provide both classroom and in-field training.
“We know that if you get the right training you’re more likely to get the right job, and this is absolutely vital when it comes to the growing hydrogen industry – we need Queenslanders skilled up and ready to take full advantage of the hydrogen boom,” Ms Farmer said.
The RETF will provide 40 jobs during construction while supporting an additional 40 ongoing teaching positions once open.
Once construction is complete the RETF will have a 17-metre high wind turbine, 20-metre high climbing tower, a 30-metre telecommunications tower and a 54-kilowatt single axis tracking solar system.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the facility would help Queensland become a renewable hydrogen superpower.
“Our emerging renewable hydrogen industry is reliant on clean energy to create a zero carbon product for both export and local industry including transport,” Minister de Brenni said.
“By 2030 Queenslanders will demand several thousand megawatts of new renewable energy,” according to Mr De Brenni.
He predicts that this means an energy construction jobs boom is about to start.
