Gold Coast and Townsville airports to switch to 100% renewable energy by 2025 under new agreement

A new seven-year agreement between CS Energy and Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) will see renewable energy powering operations at two of Australia’s busiest airports. Starting January 1, 2025, Gold Coast and Townsville airports, which handle over 8 million passengers annually, will transition to 100% renewable electricity.

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.

Why are they switching to renewable energy?

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.

Shifting to 100% renewable energy for operations at both airports is a major step towards QAL achieving its Net Zero 2030 target by offsetting almost 90%¹ of the organisation’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

QAL CEO Amelia Evans said the collaboration with CS Energy demonstrates the airport operator’s commitment to decarbonising its operations, which is another step in its ambition to lessen its environmental footprint, while continuing to support increased connectivity, tourism and trade.

“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.

 ^{1Based on QAL’s FY23 carbon footprint}