Bi-partisan support for legislating renewable energy plan

The State’s dedicated renewable energy representative body has welcomed a bi-partisan Parliamentary Committee’s recommendation to legislate renewable energy and public ownership targets.

Queensland Renewable Energy Council Chief Executive Officer Katie-Anne Mulder said State Parliament’s Clean Economy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee has recommended the legislation prescribing renewable energy generation to be 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035 be passed by State Parliament. Currently, renewable energy accounts for approximately 26% of Queensland’s electricity generation.

“These targets were set out in the $69 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in September 2022.  By legislating these targets and the roll-out of the Plan, the Parliament will be sending a clear message of confidence to the investors, developers, suppliers, landholders and communities to deliver the renewable energy projects and transmission infrastructure and establish renewable energy zones,” Ms Mulder said.

“The Committee has also made very significant recommendations on how renewable energy can co-exist with traditional industries like agriculture, how ready enabling infrastructure like our roads and bridges can facilitate the clean energy transition, and how the industry can be developed in a sustainable way to maximise the benefits for regional Queensland.

“On behalf of our members, QREC provided a detailed submission and appeared before the Committee.  The strong bi-partisan recommendations of the Committee are a milestone for the Queensland clean energy transition.

“QREC will work with the Government on any amendments to the Bill that can address some of the co-existence issues raised by the Committee.  We believe it is important to continue to work on these issues to give all Queenslanders the confidence in the delivery of Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.”

Ms Mulder said QREC and its members would continue to work with stakeholders, including agricultural representative bodies, local councils and the resources sector.

“QREC has welcomed the Queensland Government’s commitment to extend the mandate of the GasFields Commission to include renewable energy.  Any legislation required to give the GasFields Commission the expanded mandate should be implemented as soon as possible,” she said.