Operations at Gold Coast and Townsville airports will switch to 100 per cent renewable energy from January 1 thanks to an agreement between CS Energy and Queensland Airports Limited (QAL).

Renewable energy projects from CS Energy’s offtake portfolio in regional Queensland such as Kennedy Energy Park and solar farms at Columboola, Hughenden, and Moura will help generate the 30GWh needed by Townsville and Gold Coast Airports annually.

CS Energy chief executive officer Darren Busine said the agreement with QAL marked a significant moment for sustainable tourism and for the Australian aviation industry in its path towards net zero.

The renewable energy switch is part of the new master plans for Gold Coast and Townsville airports, which are set for major expansions to support their anticipated passenger growth in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Gold Coast and Townsville airports are among Australia’s busiest, with annual passenger journeys set to double to 16 million by 2044 to help service demand generated by growing industry and tourism sectors in the two regions.

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QAL chief executive officer Amelia Evans said the collaboration with CS Energy demonstrated the airport operator’s commitment to decarbonising its operations.

“Our airports operate in the natural landscape of their regions. This includes the Great Barrier Reef in Townsville, the Gold Coast’s incredible beaches, and the Cobaki environmental precinct,” Ms Evans said.

“We are looking to be environmental stewards in the regions that we serve, and this includes what we do to preserve our natural environment on a day-to-day basis

“From January 1, 2025, we will be using green power across all our Gold Coast and Townsville airport operations including air conditioning, lighting, baggage carousels and way finding.”

The seven-year agreement between QAL and CS Energy runs until December 31, 2031.

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