Cairns Regional Council has inked a deal with CleanCo Queensland that will see 80 of the council’s largest facilities fully powered by renewable sources from July 2024.

The majority of the renewable energy that underpins the agreement will be supplied locally by the Kaban Green Energy Hub near Ravenshoe.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the agreement with CleanCo supported local jobs in the renewable energy sector and reinforced the region’s clean and green reputation.

“As the guardians of two World Heritage-listed natural environments – the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest – it is our responsibility to do all we can to protect these assets and our lifestyle by taking action on climate change,” Cr Manning said.

“Renewable energy is critical to council achieving its target of net zero emissions by 2030 and the deal with CleanCo puts us firmly on that path.” .

The agreement with CleanCo builds on the council’s existing three megawatts of on-site solar,

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the power deal was exactly the type of initiative that would push the Far North to net zero by 2050.

“Facilities to be powered under this agreement include Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Cairns City Library, Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, and the wastewater treatment plants,” he said.

“This deal is equivalent to the energy consumption of approximately 4000 North Queensland households each year.”

CleanCo has offtake agreements with Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub and the Kaban Green Power Hub, with both expected to achieve full operations in the first half of 2023.