The Queensland Government has signed a deal between state-owned CleanCo and rail freight operator Aurizon (ASX:AZJ) that is expected to see 25% of Aurizon’s electricity needs met with renewable energy.
Aurizon operates Australia’s largest electrified rail freight system, Central Queensland Coal Network.
As part of the agreement, CleanCo will supply Aurizon with renewable energy from the MacIntyre Wind Farm in the Western Downs, Kaban Wind Farm in Far North Queensland, and Woolooga Solar Farm, north of Brisbane.
Each year, Aurizon transports more than 250 million tonnes of Australian commodities, connecting miners, primary producers and industry with international and domestic markets. It provides customers with integrated freight and logistics solutions across an extensive national rail and road network, traversing the country.
CEO Andrew Harding says the agreement reflects the company’s long-term strategy, with Aurizon committed to a target of net zero operational emissions by 2050, “with a roadmap of initiatives to decarbonise our trains, our rail infrastructure and our facilities”.
Through partnerships with Aurizon, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, CleanCo says it is embedding sustainable, lower-emission energy across every stage of the supply chain in the Mackay region, from rail transport to port operations.
CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe says the deal comes as Queensland’s exporters are under increasing pressure to demonstrate lower-emission supply chains.
“By utilising Queensland’s abundant solar and wind to support Queensland businesses, we are unlocking regional jobs and investment across the state,” Metcalfe says.
Meanwhile, Aurizon has developed an innovative new customer-focused solution to help support its growing containerised freight business.
A new three-year agreement with privately held transport and logistics firm SCT Logistics is poised to deliver Aurizon customers increased frequency and faster services on rail on the east coast of Australia.
The agreement will also help mitigate the ongoing disruption for customers caused by the construction of the Cross River Rail project in southeast Queensland.
Aurizon Group Executive of Bulk and Containerised Freight George Lippiatt says between Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne customers will have increased services from three to eight with five services to be operated by SCT and three to be operated by Aurizon.
Aurizon has also separately decided to look at offering an additional weekly service on the East/West corridor from Sydney/Melbourne to Perth moving from seven to eight from mid-2026.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Aurizon
