Renewable Energy Set to Take Off at Gold Coast and Townsville Airports

From midnight January 1, 2025, operations at Gold Coast and Townsville airports – which collectively service more than 8 million passenger journeys a year – will switch to 100% renewable energy.

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 to power operations, from lighting and air conditioning to escalators and charging stations.

CS Energy CEO Darren Busine said the agreement with QAL marks a significant moment for sustainable tourism and for the Australian aviation industry in its path towards achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions. 

“As a proud Queensland-owned and based company, CS Energy is excited to partner with QAL on its renewable energy transition,” Mr Busine said.

“Our customers’ energy needs have evolved, and our business is evolving with them. As our customers work towards meeting their decarbonisation goals and navigating the energy transition, companies like ours have to be responsive to their changing needs, and be able to provide new innovations, new products, and new technologies to support them.

“We are delighted to be part of Queensland Airports Limited’s journey towards their net zero targets.”

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.