Another 580 schools will receive solar panels and other energy saving measures, as the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) program ramps up.
Education Minister Grace Grace said the program is helping to reduce energy costs at Queensland state schools.
“It is also helping to support valuable jobs in the renewables industry across the state during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Grace said.
“And through our recently announced Cooler Cleaner Schools Program, we are providing a boost to our existing solar program with an additional $71 million allocated to install even more solar PV systems.
“These programs are installing a virtual solar farm atop Queensland state schools and contributing enough solar generated electricity to power 25,000 homes.”
Ms Grace said the ACES program is being delivered over three phases, with phase one well underway and work on the initial 210 state schools nearing completion.
“Already almost 32,000 solar panels, pumping out 11 megawatts of power, have been installed providing significant gains to those schools that have received installations to date – with tens of thousands more to come.
“As part of the Government’s commitment to unite and recover our state following the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACES program continues to support local businesses and sub-contractors in achieving the program’s targets.
“We are maintaining a consistent pipeline of work, in turn supporting the tradespeople who have been working in many of our communities across Queensland.
Minister Grace said an additional 80 state schools, originally set to benefit in future phases of the ACES program, have been brought forward into phase one of the program.
“We are now leveraging our success and getting started early on some of the schools initially earmarked for future phases of the program,” the Minister said.
“The 580 schools that will be part of phases two and three of the ACES program, will be rolled out from July 1 this year.
“Schools in the Redlands, Brisbane South, Logan, the Gold Coast, Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast, the outback, North Queensland, Moreton Bay and in the Whitsundays will all benefit from additional energy saving measures.”
“This ongoing solar installation program is another real example of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to supporting jobs and the economy as it continues to support industry during the uncertainty of COVID-19.”
In total, across the life of this initiative, more than 550 jobs will be supported across Queensland, showing Queensland state school students and their communities this Government’s strong commitment to jobs and a cleaner, greener energy future.
To see the full list of schools receiving energy saving measures head to
