While the topic of working towards the outlined renewable energy targets often invokes some big conversations, what is Queensland doing to achieve these goals?



Roughly 90% of the world’s carbon emissions originate from the burning of fossil fuels. While most of Australia’s emissions come from energy production, it’s closely followed by transport, agriculture, and industrial processes. On a global scale, working towards lowering those emissions is a hotly contested and highly controversial topic depending on who you talk to. 

Whether we like it or not, Australia’s high level of emissions per person reflects the nation’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels as a primary energy source and, in particular, the dominant role of coal in the production of electricity. With a large chunk of the national coal production occurring right here in Queensland, many people are intrigued to see how the Sunshine State is faring against the national renewable energy targets. 

How Queensland Is Working Towards Renewable Energy 

Australia is the world’s 14th highest carbon emitter, contributing just over 1% of all global emissions. Considering that we are the world’s 55th most populated country, we’re certainly punching way above what we should be in terms of our national output. 

However, actively working towards renewable energy targets is a way to lower our position on the list. Over the course of the last five years, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions total was reduced as a result of land use change and forestry, removing 4.9% of our emissions in 2020.

While the Federal Government is actively working towards renewable energy targets by providing financial incentives to pursue small and large scale solar power installations, things are moving at a different pace in Queensland. As the state aims to become a world leader in renewable hydrogen development and export, it would seem that the Sunshine State is aiming for the renewable energy sector to become a standalone industry in its own right.

As of January 1 2022, 20.4% of all electricity used in Queensland was produced by renewable resources, such as hydro power and solar power. Queensland now also boasts fifty large-scale renewable energy projects, representing $10.7 billion of investment, 7,900 construction jobs, 5,774 megawatts (MW) of clean energy and more than 13.8 million tonnes of avoided emissions each year - but could we be doing more?

In 2020, Tasmania was the first state in Australia to produce 100% of its annual energy from renewable resources. While this was mostly generated from hydropower, South Australia has also been making significant leaps towards hitting their renewable energy targets, with just under 60% of their energy production also linked to renewable resources in the same year. Compared to Queensland’s figures, it would seem that we have a lot of catching up to do. 

Thankfully, there are a multitude of large scale developments in the pipeline in Queensland that will help to change this, and it spells good news for the state’s construction industry, which will be highly influential in seeing these projects through to completion. 

One key example of this is the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, which includes $2 billion dollars worth of funding for energy government owned corporations to increase ownership of commercial renewable energy and hydrogen projects, as well as supporting infrastructure, including in partnership with the private sector. The domino effect will see all corners of the industry reap the rewards, and ideally see the state on track to hit their 50% renewable energy target by the year 2030. 

Sourcing Crane Hire Solutions With Lindores 

Lindores Mobile Cranes (LMC) are a mobile crane and labour hire business that has unequalled experience in the construction industry spanning two generations. In operation since 2007, we’re a family owned business and are also proud owners of Brisbane’s only Humma crane. 

Google reviews and even peers within the industry are always a good starting point to ensure that a mobile crane hire company is a reputable business provider. At Lindores, we’re only too happy to show you the feedback from our customers, as it’s something that we’re actually quite proud of. 

At LMC, we pride ourselves on knowing what our customers require, and aren’t afraid to think outside of the box with suggestions in order to reduce costs and increase productivity. If you would like to explore your options regarding crane hire in South East Queensland or aren’t quite sure where to start, get in touch with us today