A local renewable energy zone (LREZ) has been announced in Caloundra, Queensland, to help generate more clean energy for the area.
The Queensland Government will fund $40 million for the Caloundra LREZ pilot project which will see the deployment of up to 8.4MW/18.8MWh of battery storage and support up to an additional 2.8MW of solar PV, and 0.9MW of demand management.
The benefits will be shared across residential and commercial customers in Caloundra, starting from January 2025.
“I know that transitioning to renewables while keeping power prices down matters to Queenslanders, which is why my first budget as Queensland’s new Premier is investing in this Local Renewable Energy Zone pilot,” Premier Steven Miles said.
“We want Queenslanders to come along on the clean energy journey and these nation-leading LREZS will be at the forefront of a community-led renewable energy transformation.
“Right now, communities that benefit from high levels of sun cannot use those renewables at night. So the answer is storage and using Local Renewable Energy Zones to facilitate the transfer.”
Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni said the LREZ was the first of its kind in Queensland.
“Just like public ownership of Queensland’s energy assets, the LREZ project will put control of energy into the communities hands,” he said.
“This initiative, which has been championed by local member Jason Hunt, the Smart Energy Council, and the Sunshine Coast conservation groups, is only possible because collectively they own their energy distribution system.”
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