Stanwell Clean Energy Hub kicks off with training cash

Queensland’s publicly owned energy company Stanwell Corporation will build a Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH) valued at up to $100 million as step one of the state’s investment in a Stanwell Clean Energy Hub at major regional city, Rockhampton.

The size of a shopping centre, the hub will provide the ‘sandbox’ to test out innovative new energy technology including wind, solar, hydrogen and battery storage, according to the government.

It will also provide a real-life, hands-on training environment for Queensland energy employees to develop the skills needed to work on renewable energy technologies.

The project is proposed to be delivered in phases, starting with the establishment of common infrastructure and civil works in late 2023.

Future phases include a skills academy and demonstration centre where the community can come to learn about new energy technologies. In its entirety, the project will cost over $100 million and be deployed over five years.

Stanwell Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Rourke said: “The FEITH project will be the visible bright spark of Stanwell’s transformation to clean energy and our vision is for FEITH to be a catalyst for advancing the energy transformation, not just at Stanwell, but for the entire state.

“It will increase our understanding of new energy technologies and their application in building Stanwell’s renewable energy portfolio and driving the development of Queensland hydrogen industry.

“And just as importantly, it will help us create the energy workforce Queensland needs for the future through hands-on skills development and training.”

The Stanwell Power Station, with a capacity of 1,460MW is located between the potential future Capricorn and Calliope Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) which are planned to connect between 1,900 and 3,800MW of installed generation.

The state Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Australia could not meet its legislated emissions reduction targets without serious action in Queensland.

“Because Queenslanders kept their energy network in public hands, they have unprecedented control over the destiny of their energy system in its transition to 70 percent renewable energy by 2032.

“While other states are scrambling to get out of coal-fired power, or even prop it up for longer, it’s Queensland who is now leading the nation’s orderly climate and energy transition.”

Picture: industryqld.com.au/Stanwell Power Station