In a historic announcement, the state of Queensland said it would stop using coal-fired power by 2035.
The move comes after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state was facing a climate emergency.
She noted that a bold vision was needed to address the issue.
According to Palaszczuk, her government would be investing around $4 billion in the state’s energy system to transform it.
By 2030, she noted that there would be over 2,000 wind turbines and over 35 million solar panels.
In a speech in Brisbane, the premier noted that the state was taking action on climate change and the economy. She also said that her government would be implementing two new targets.
By 2032, 70% of the electricity in the state would come from renewable energy, and by 2035, it would be 80%.
She also revealed that the state would be building the world’s largest pumped hydro facility near Mackay, which would have a capacity of 5 gigawatts.
These plants would be used to turn coal-fired power into clean energy hubs. By 2035, coal would no longer be able to provide the state with electricity.
The private and public investment needed to transform the electricity system in the state was estimated at $62 billion.
The government noted that the average household would be able to save about $150 annually on electricity under the plan.