The Queensland government has rubbished claims that its scrutiny of major renewables projects is holding back Australia’s energy transition after it approved two giant wind farm projects it had put on hold.

The Andrew Forrest-backed Wongalee wind farm in Far North Queensland was one of three large-scale renewable energy projects in the state put under a cloud in January when new Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie ordered government planning officials to pause their applications while he reconsidered their merits.