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Central West Queensland Strategy to Adapt to a Diversified Economy:

North America Mission 2024

RAPAD undertook its first international mission to the United States in May 2024. 

The RAPAD councils have identified the transition to a diversified economy as a potential economic enabler for our region.

Central Western Queensland has a comparative advantage in the production of traditional and new/renewable energy and already has existing and developing projects underway. 

Of key importance to these projects’ success is to ensure we understand how our region and its communities can best benefit from their delivery. Which brings us to the next step on our journey…

Mission purpose

This US mission was developed as the next crucial step in our region’s energy journey. It allowed local representation to gain a firsthand understanding and quantify the potential impact and economic benefits a diversified economy and transition to net zero could bring to the RAPAD region.

The primary focus of this mission was to investigate returns for the communities similar to our own that are leading the transition, strengthen social and economic engagement between regions, and allow participants to connect and exchange international best practice knowledge. 

Focus areas

  • Investigate returns for the communities leading in energy transition

  • Strengthen social and economic engagement between regions

  • Allow participants to connect and exchange international best practice knowledge

Communities who are working with/dealing with the transmission lines and net zero transition - the benefits and challenges regarding the impacts on them. 

Technology options including solar, wind, batteries/storage, geothermal, green hydrogen, large scale transmission, generation and storage, manufacturing.

Mission program

Around 40,000km travelled

5 States

9 major stops

23 meetings and site visits

Our mission program was developed to ensure we made the most of our time in the United States. We covered an impressive number of sectors and met with a wide range of individuals and businesses including: wind, solar, hydrogen, geothermal, transmission and storage technologies, construction and maintenance, policy and law, ranchers and politicians, community development and business innovators… and more.

Along the way we have captured some valuable ‘lessons’ for our region which can be viewed under each of our locations below. Full details of the mission program can be found in the Mission Report.

Program locations

Along the way we:

  • Learnt from the energy experts at Texas Engineering Executive Education.

  • Heard from landholders, Traditional Owners, small business, legal professionals, educators and elected representatives about their experience in energy development and delivery.

  • Visited wind farms, solar farms, testing facilities, a technical college, ranches, economic development organisations, community groups… and more.

  • Met with the world’s best renewable technology companies with discussions including geothermal, solar and wind, and transmission line development and how they can help make the RAPAD Power Grid a reality.

This mission proved a great opportunity to visit world-leading business, industry and projects, grow our networks and showcase our region in an international market.

It’s only early days in CWQ’s energy journey in comparison to our mates in the States, and we appreciate the opportunity to gain insight and networks that will serve our community now and into the future. 

The mission investigations have provided valuable insights and networks that will continue to help shape our energy future including delivering the RAPAD Power Grid and other regional renewable energy projects. 

We thank our hosts across our itinerary for their time and hospitality and we welcome the opportunity to return the favour in the future.