The Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) has congratulated new Treasurer David Janetzki on his appointment as Minister for Energy in the Crisafulli Government.
QREC Chief Executive Officer Katie-Anne Mulder said Mr Janetzki’s appointment and his responsibilities for government’s electricity generation, transmission and distribution assets was an opportunity to maintain the momentum behind the development and economic benefit of the renewable energy pipeline.
“The State’s Government-owned Corporations (GOCs) are critical to Queensland’s electricity supply systems – its security and affordability. The role the GOCs will play in the transition to cleaner energy is vital as their coal-fired generation comes to end of life and needs to be replaced with wind, solar, pumped hydro and battery storage,” Ms Mulder said.
“The combination of Treasury and Energy is a powerful one.”
“As the most senior member of the Crisafulli Government from the Darling Downs, David Janetzki knows the economic benefit on the Western Darling Downs and Toowoomba from the development of coal seam gas more than a decade ago and more recently from renewable energy projects,” Ms Mulder said.
Ms Mulder said the recent release of the Draft Renewables Regulatory Framework for consultation was the ideal basis to engage with the new Government and Minister Janetzki on getting those regulatory fundamentals right.
“The work we are doing with local councils and industry associations has identified the importance of the renewable energy industry partnering early,” she said.
“The role of Coexistence Queensland, toolkits for working with landholders, councils and another that QREC is preparing for developers, is creating a foundation for strong and lasting partnerships.”
QREC is the only dedicated industry association for developers, investors and suppliers of renewable energy projects in Queensland.
Ms Mulder said on behalf of its members, QREC looks forward to working with Mr Janetzki and his Ministerial colleagues on the best way to harness renewable energy to capture most benefits in terms of jobs, economic growth and regional development.
She said extending the Government’s commitment for a Resources Cabinet Sub-Committee to be a Resources and Energy Cabinet Sub-Committee would create even greater synergies.
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QREC looks forward to working with new Crisafulli Ministers (pictured L-R):
Brent Mickelberg (Transport and Main Roads), Sam O’Connor (Housing and Public Works) and David Janetzki (Treasurer, Energy and Home Owners)