Qld Energy Roadmap needs clear renewables lane to drive growth, prosperity: QREC
The Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) has welcomed the Crisafulli Government’s plan for a five-year Energy Roadmap and its commitment to a growing role for renewables in the State’s energy mix.
“To be a successful Energy Roadmap that leads Queensland to the destination of secure, affordable and sustainable energy system, there needs to be a clear lane for renewable energy,” said QREC Chief Executive Officer, Katie-Anne Mulder.
“QREC will continue to engage constructively with the Minister and the Government to help ensure the Roadmap delivers on these essential outcomes.”
Ms Mulder noted the Government’s announcements today, including the decision for publicly-owned coal-fired generators to operate beyond 2035 and the referral of emissions reduction targets to the Productivity Commission for review, while reaffirming its commitment to additional renewable energy generation, including new wind, solar, and pumped hydro projects.
“As Queensland’s dedicated renewable energy industry body, QREC remains focused on ensuring that the Energy Roadmap sends a clear signal to investors, developers, employers, and suppliers to advance renewable energy projects in the state,” Ms Mulder said. “We look forward to contributing to the Productivity Commission’s review of the interim emissions targets within that broader context.”
She cautioned that clarity on the future role and timeline for coal-fired power is essential for a successful energy transition. “Without transparent planning for replacement renewable capacity, the State risks creating uncertainty around energy reliability, affordability, and sustainability.”
“If the Roadmap is unclear, then Queensland will lose investment in additional energy generation capacity’, Ms Mulder added. “Queensland is a growing state. Our continued growth and prosperity will rely heavily on our ability to attract and develop renewable energy resources.”
Ms Mulder also emphasised the need for a balanced regulatory environment, consistent planning and assessment frameworks, and a clearly defined role for Government-owned corporations alongside private sector players to ensure the Roadmap delivers long-term benefits.
Currently, around 30% of Queensland’s energy is generated from renewable sources including wind, solar, hydro, and bioenergy. “Scaling up renewable energy will increase electricity supply for Queensland homes, businesses, and communities—and support greater affordability by putting downward pressure on wholesale prices,” she said.
This follows the Queensland Auditor-General’s Energy 2024 report, which found that increased capacity and higher output from renewables contributed to 39% reduction in wholesale electricity prices last financial year.[1]
As Queensland’s only renewable peak industry body, Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) represents stakeholders across solar, wind, pumped hydro, electricity transmission, battery storage, and renewable fuels. QREC collaborates with industry, communities, and all levels of government to drive the growth of Queensland’s renewable energy sector.
For media enquires, please contact Kirby Anderson on 0400 206 502.
[1] Queensland Audit Office (QAO), Energy 2024 report, stated on page 12: “This year [2023-24], Queensland’s average wholesale price decreased by $57 per megawatt hour (39 per cent).
The decrease was driven by several factors, including:
- increased capacity and higher generation output from renewables
- the absence of one-off events that have occurred in previous years, such as extreme weather events and supply constraints from outages at the Callide and Swanbank plants, which led to significant price spikes last year
- a government-imposed price cap on coal which ended in June 2024 and the continued price cap on gas.