A former coal power station outside Ipswich will be turned into a clean energy plant, the ABC can reveal.
The Swanbank Power Station's transformation is part of the Queensland government's 70 per cent renewables target for 2032.
Benchmark power prices in Queensland are expected to jump by more than 20 per cent within months, after a similar hike last year.
Energy Minister Mick De Brenni said the clean energy plant would put "downward pressure" on power prices.
"What we're doing is progressing a master-planned approach to a precinct where we'll bring together wind energy, solar, and the production of hydrogen to make sure that we're able to keep downward pressure on electricity prices," Mr De Brenni said.
"The clean energy hub at Swanbank has the potential to generate up to 1.2 gigawatts of power. And to put that into context, that's over 10 per cent of what Queensland uses each and every day at its peak."
Publicly owned CleanCo will open expressions of interest for businesses to pitch what energy is produced at the site in the coming months.
"We'll be seeking proposals from industry to develop hydrogen production and use here at the site and also to look at alternative energy-storage options," chief executive Tom Metcalfe said.
Community members are also encouraged to give their input.
Mr Metcalfe said the submissions were an integral part of the redevelopment process.
"We'll be engaging with the community around what other amenities, what other resources and facilities the community need here at Swanbank," he said.
"It could be related to energy, but it might be public space, it might be a heritage centre, it could be innovation."
'Refreshing', but more detail needed
Jim Dodrill, president of Ipswich Ratepayers Against Toxic Environments (IRATE), said it was a refreshing change.
"If they're now going to consult with the community, it's definitely a step in the right direction," Mr Dodrill said.
"It sounds good but we're interested to know some of the detail of it.
"How many jobs will be produced for locals and what impact it will have on the local environment as well?"
Ipswich Chamber of Commerce president Phillip Bell said the development celebrated Swanbank's past while moving the area into the future.
"Ipswich has a really solid and proud history in creating energy on this site here at Swanbank, and to see that history honoured in a fantastic transitional plan that'll create jobs and opportunity for local businesses is extremely exciting," Mr Bell said.
A storied history continues
Swanbank Power Station was commissioned in 1967.
There is currently a 385-megawatt gas-fired power station onsite, which will be kept in the redesign.
Mr Bell said many Ipswich families had worked at, and were supported by, the old coal-fired plant.
"Our region — and we don't deny it because it is a proud history — has been built upon coal mining and extracting resources from the earth," he said.
"This site is extremely important to us culturally, but extremely important commercially as well. And to see the opportunities created for businesses in this wonderful clean-energy transformation is just terrific."
