Innovatia

QUEENSLAND POISED TO SUPERCHARGE ECONOMY WITH CLEAN ENERGY

A massive $62 billion Energy and Jobs plan is transforming the Sunshine State into the nation’s renewable powerhouse - reducing emissions, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking new export opportunities Q ueensland is charging ahead with a plan to totally transform the state’s electricity network, setting the scene for a future filled with opportunity and economic prosperity. Energy Minister Mick de Brenni – a driving force behind Queensland’s plan to become a global clean energy superpower – says independent modelling forecasts that, by 2035, renewables will be boosting the State’s economy by around $25.7 billion each year. “We’re laser-focused on maximising the bene- fits of every opportunity because the transition to renewables is already shaping up as the big- gest economic boom since the industrial revo- lution,” he said. “Queensland has an abundance of natural resources to not just meet but beat our renew- able energy targets while also to help our trading partners right around the world to decarbonise. “We’re thinking big … really big.” Enter the $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan – announced in September 2022.

challenges female founders are actually facing, and there was a mismatch, so we tailored the program to better suit their needs,” Gillian says. Women are adaptable and resilient prob- lem-solvers, who approach challenges with cre- ativity and resourcefulness. They are likely to have a deep understanding of their target mar- ket, as they are often the primary consumers of products and services. This insight allows them to identify gaps in the market and develop inno- vative solutions that meet customers’ needs. By investing in female founders, the Queensland Government is fostering an environment of inno- vation which can have a significant impact on the economy, unlocking the potential for job creation and economic growth. “Queenslanders are known for our work ethic and our generosity of spirit, and women are an exemplar of that. They can give us an edge,

and help distinguish Queensland in terms of an innovative, pragmatic, down-to-earth approach to solving some of our toughest problems,” Gillian says. Grants of between $10,000 and $100,000 are available for applications targeting one of four categories: pre-accelerator and accel- erator initiatives; start-up/scale-up business development acumen initiatives; mentoring and advocacy initiatives; and other tailored initiatives. Gillian’s advice for applying is simple: get online and have a go. “Read the program guidelines carefully to make sure this is the program for you, then don’t delay - put your application in,” she says. “We are committed to empowering female entrepreneurs in Queensland and getting them the resources they need to succeed.”

The plan sets clear, common-sense and achiev- able targets to lower emissions by accelerating the renewable energy transition, create local jobs, and unlock billions of dollars in industry opportunities. “Powering Queensland industry with more reli- able, more affordable, and much cleaner elec- tricity enables us to unlock billions of dollars in critical minerals that the world needs to achieve their own clean energy ambitions. “It also means we will be able to capture a greater slice of the renewables supply chain, from processing the minerals needed for EVs and grid-scale batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines, through to manufacturing more of that

INNOVATIA

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INNOVATIA

| Queensland Economic and Innovation Special Report

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