Energy giant Engie supercharges green city development with support for EVs, hydrogen transport

A new city being developed in south-east Queensland aiming to become one of the world’s greenest is set to get a boost, with a new roadmap launched with the backing of one of the world’s largest energy companies.

Greater Springfield, which is located around 30km south-west of Brisbane and has grown to a population of 45,000 has released a new master plan that will see electric vehicle charging infrastructure and a hydrogen fuelled bus network rolled out, in an effort to create the ‘world’s greenest city’ by 2038.

The city is one of Australia’s largest privately funded city developments, including a mix of residential and business districts, and has attracted a campus of the University of Southern Queensland.

The A$3.1 billion development is being supported by French energy giant Engie, the owner of the now closed Hazelwood brown coal generator, which is looking to support the demonstration of an net zero energy and net zero emissions city in Queensland.

The project is been developed by engineering company Tractebel, a subsidiary of Engie, which will see at least 30 per cent of the city’s area maintained as green space, and includes the aim to more than halve the number of cars owned by each household.

The plan will work to electrify most of the transport within the city, including by offering last-mile solutions like electric scooters and bicycles, to help link residents with public transport options.

Greater Springfield signed a partnership with energy giant Engie in 2018, that would see the company support the city become one of the world’s first net zero energy developments. The development has already committed to the use 100 per cent renewable electricity across the city, which will include the on-site roll-out of solar power.

“We have one chance – and the responsibility to our residents – to get this right and be an ongoing example for others to follow,” chairman of Greater Springfield, Maha Sinnathamby, said. “The focus on efficient and sustainable energy production, storage, and integration with the community has never been more important for Australia and for us. I’m confident that ENGIE can assist us to be a world leader in innovative and smart city solutions.”

The development is already undertaking a city wide roll out of rooftop solar across major buildings, including the  Orion Shopping Centre and the Springfield Tower, within the city’s business district.

Tractebel General Manager, Urban, Charles-Edouard Delpierre, said that the work would contribute to a long-term plan to make the Greater Springfield development self-dependent for energy by 2038.

“This is a major milestone in the journey to make Greater Springfield Australia’s greenest city. The road map is the result of a year’s worth of research and consultation and represents an ambitious but practical plan to make Greater Springfield zero net energy by 2038,” Delpierre said.

“We are proud to be delivering the road map in partnership with Springfield City Group. Engie and Tractebel are uniquely positioned to build tailored strategies that optimise and operationalise the value of a customer’s assets and provide financing options, engineering expertise and operational excellence.”