Stanwell to boost Qld with new clean energy hub

Stanwell, Queensland’s publicly owned energy company, has announced plans to develop a Future Energy Innovation and Training Hub (FEITH) at the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton.

According to Stanwell, the hub is set to play a crucial role in accelerating Queensland’s energy transformation.

It will be a large-scale facility, comparable to a shopping centre in size, designed to pilot innovative energy technologies, including energy storage and hydrogen.

The hub will serve as a hands-on training environment for Queensland energy employees, helping them develop skills needed for new energy technologies.

As part of Queensland’s ambitious plan to achieve 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035, the hub will help the state meet these targets, which the government intends to legislate.

Mick de Brenni, Queensland’s Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, emphasised the importance of this project.

“The nation cannot meet its legislated emissions reduction targets without serious action in Queensland, so we are delivering the energy transition that Queenslanders and Australians voted for,” he said.

“The first place the Premier and I went following the release of our plan was the Stanwell Power Station to give the workforce the Government’s commitment to their job security and outline our blueprint to convert it into a Clean Energy Hub.”

“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 per cent renewable energy by 2032.”

Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said the company’s 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,” O’Rourke said.

“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 project is expected to boost Queensland’s position in the renewable energy sector, with ESI already establishing a $70 million facility in Maryborough to manufacture iron flow batteries.
Educational Collaboration

CQUniversity’s involvement will expand opportunities for a new generation to acquire skills in emerging technologies like hydrogen and battery storage.

The FEITH project is planned to be delivered in phases, starting with common infrastructure and civil works, and progressing to include a skills academy and demonstration centre open to the community.

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