Queensland to legislate 80 per cent renewable power by 2035

Queensland will enshrine a target of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 into law, rising to 80 per cent in 2035, if draft legislation released on Saturday passes state parliament.

Its release came as the state government announced a $500 million budget investment into large-scale solar and wind projects, which would eventually add up to 2.3 gigawatts of supply to the grid.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced plans to legislate renewable energy targets.Credit: James Brickwood

But the half-billion dollars would not, in and of itself, add to the state’s power supply. Instead, it would be spent on planning, First Nations and community engagement, community and stakeholder planning, and obtaining transmission connection approvals.

The proposed legislation, meanwhile, would also support full public ownership of Queensland’s power line transmission and distribution network. A majority public share of power generation would also be legislated.

The announcements came at a time of anxiety for consumers, faced with electricity bill increases of up to 25 per cent from next month.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the “Queensland SuperGrid” would be Australia’s largest and become the backbone to a system that transport renewable energy across the state.

“Queensland also has some of the best wind and solar resources in the world which is why we are seeing so many renewable energy projects planned or underway,” she said.

“The legislation will also provide security for our energy workforce as the energy transition occurs, makes sure no worker is left behind, and legislates our commitment to public ownership.”

Palaszczuk’s deputy, Steven Miles, described the plan as the “most ambitious of any government in Australia”.

“Our plan is only possible because we have retained public ownership of our energy assets and this bill helps protect that ownership,” he said.

“We’re putting Queensland on the map as a global leader in renewable energy and reducing energy system emissions by 96 per cent by 2040.

“We’re also building our local manufacturing capacity because we will need thousands of batteries, wind turbines, solar panels and kilometres of transmission lines – and we want that equipment built here in Queensland, so Queenslanders get the benefits.”

In comments supplied by the premier’s office, CleanCo chief executive Tom Metcalfe said the $500 million.

“Central Queensland is the state’s industrial powerhouse and it needs reliable, affordable, clean energy solutions to drive future prosperity and industry development,” he said.

“That’s why a cornerstone of CleanCo’s renewable growth program is to support the decarbonisation of industry in central Queensland, helping the region to thrive in a net-zero future.”

CleanCo is a state government-owned corporation, which was established in 2018 as a third Queensland energy generator to complement state-owned coal and gas companies CS Energy and Stanwell Corporation.

Speaking on the Gold Coast on Saturday morning, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli seemed less than convinced about Palaszczuk’s announcement.

“If we are truly serious about delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity, announcements aren’t going to do that – actual action will,” he said.

“It’s time for the government to start listening to Queenslander and the pain they’re experiencing.

“It’s been two years since the Callide power station was shut down because of a breakdown and it’s still mothballed, and it’s been 12 months since the government’s so-called signature announcement in the Mackay region and there’s no money, no planning and no KPIs.

CS Energy’s Callide power station near Biloela has been beset with issues.

“It’s disappointing for people who have just seen their electricity bills go up by 32 per cent.”

A generation unit Callide power station exploded in 2021 and the station was not expected to fully come back online until some time next year.