Like many Australians, I watched in horror in 2016 as the cost of electricity went through the roof.
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Thankfully prices are coming down due to the influx of new renewable energy projects, like solar farms, connecting to the grid.
But the resurrection of Barnaby Joyce as leader of the Nationals sends a clear message that they'll be pushing hard for new coal in the lead up to the next federal election - a move that could seriously hurt the hip pocket of homes and businesses.
It makes no sense to build a new coal power station in Queensland when existing coal stations are in financial trouble.
Queensland's budget papers reveal that state-owned coal power stations will stop providing returns in just two years.
Coal-fired power stations are having a hard time staying profitable because cheaper solar and wind energy is driving down the wholesale price of electricity.
Building a new coal-fired power station would be a costly exercise requiring significant government handouts.
What's worse, by dragging the conversation back to coal, the Nationals are denying regional Australians the chance to diversify and future-proof local economies.
In the new world economy, Australia's impressive solar and wind resources, and key mineral deposits, are a competitive advantage that could see us processing and manufacturing materials for the electric vehicle boom.
Plus, we have all the ingredients to become a clean energy superpower and start exporting renewable hydrogen fuel to power cities across the world.
Over the last year, I've spent considerable time in regional Queensland so I've seen firsthand the excitement that's growing around these opportunities, including in Townsville where the council is planning a cutting edge eco-industrial precinct.
The proposal to build a new 1000MW coal plant in North Queensland, which is being championed by members of the Nationals, would cost more than $3.3 billion.
For that same money, we could build:
- 2860MW of large-scale solar - enough to power 1.3 million homes.
- 1840MW of four-hour battery storage - big batteries are designed to respond instantly to grid disturbances and can keep the lights on when power plants fail.
- 1430MW of six-hour pumped hydro - storage options like pumped hydro can soak up excess solar energy during the day and generate energy at night.
If Barnaby and his coal-loving colleagues truly stand for regional Australians, they would be better investing in affordable renewable energy and local manufacturing.
Stephanie Gray is Queensland energy strategist with Solar Citizens.
