Queensland's renewable potential shines despite policy uncertainty

Read the full report (PDF 6.6mb)

There's enough renewable energy projects in Queensland’s pipeline for the State to reach its 80 per cent renewable energy target twice over, according to a new report, but only 6 per cent of the pipeline is in the advanced stages of deployment.

The State of the Transition report also found that there is more than enough rooftop solar potential across residential, commercial and industrial rooftops alone to reach Queensland’s 2030 renewable energy target.

On the eve of the State Budget, the Queensland Conservation Council is calling for the Crisafulli Government to send a clear signal to investors and unlock Queensland’s huge renewable potential.

The report, commissioned by conservation councils across the country, highlighted key steps that governments can take to deliver the energy transformation faster and better. The groups, including the Queensland Conservation Council, are calling for accelerated renewable energy and storage investment, and regional plans to guide development.

Queensland Conservation Council's campaigner Stephanie Gray said

The findings of this report demonstrate that, with the right government policy settings, Queensland can absolutely meet and beat the State’s renewable energy targets. This follows findings from the Queensland Audit Office last year that Queensland is on track to meet our targets.

Queensland’s enviable solar and wind resources have attracted plenty of attention from renewable energy investors and our rooftops could house 6 times more solar capacity than they currently do.

But our natural renewable energy advantage could be wasted if the Crisafulli Government continues to create uncertainty in the market by making it harder to build new renewable projects and signalling Queensland is closed for clean business.

We’re really concerned that the Queensland Government is set to repeal our renewable energy targets and is reviewing the emissions reduction target they committed to before the election.

These targets are achievable and this week’s State Budget is an opportunity for the Government to prove that they’re serious about facilitating Queensland’s energy transformation. We’re hoping the Queensland LNP allocates funding to progress their Supercharged Solar for Renters scheme and to progress storage options.

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