Queensland’s clean energy investment lead at risk

Queensland leads the country in committed renewable energy and storage investment, according to a new report by the Clean Energy Council (CEC). The report found Queensland has 30 large-scale renewable energy and storage projects either under construction or committed, with a total capital investment worth over $10 billion.

Currently, there are 8 wind farms, 8 solar farms, and 13 big battery projects heading towards construction or commissioning across Queensland.

The Queensland Conservation Council points to the findings of this report as key evidence that Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan was delivering investment certainty for the industry – which is now at risk due to the current Queensland Government’s lack of an energy plan.

Queensland Conservation Council campaigner and energy expert Stephanie Gray said:

Right now we’re seeing billions of dollars being spent on new projects in regional Queensland because of our state’s renewable energy targets and clear policy direction set by the former state government.

Queenslanders benefit when we have energy policy certainty. Sending a clear signal to clean energy investors delivers new energy supply, regional jobs, and lower power bills.

In contrast, energy policy uncertainty stalls renewable energy new supply, which hurts our communities, economy and climate.

We’re really concerned about the Queensland Government’s approach to energy and the signals they’re sending to the renewable energy industry. They don’t have an energy plan, the Premier has floated repealing the state’s renewable energy targets, and now they’ve withdrawn support for a major green hydrogen proposal.

We’ve got to get the energy transition right to secure a prosperous future for our communities – one where we avoid the worst impacts of climate change and have set up thriving new clean manufacturing industries to drive our economy.

The Crisafulli Government promised Queenslanders climate action and smart economic decisions. Driving away clean energy investment does neither of those things.

We’d like to see the Queensland Government urgently address this policy gap by delivering a plan to reach the state’s popular renewable energy targets.

We’re also calling on the state and federal government to urgently deliver the bio-regional mapping that was promised to guide development, so we’re building renewable projects in the right places.

Queensland now runs on close to 30 per cent renewable energy, while Australia’s main grid runs on 40 per cent renewables.

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