A sudden decision by Queensland’s new LNP government to pause approvals for four major onshore wind farm projects has cast doubt over plans for energy users, including big miners Rio Tinto and BHP, to electrify operations and help meet emission reduction targets.

Premier David Crisafulli has said he will stick to the previous Labor government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050 but will repeal its renewable energy target and has committed maintenance funds to support the indefinite operation of state-owned coal power stations.