Queensland is on track to surpass its target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, with more than a quarter of the state’s energy now powered by renewables.
It’s expected Queensland will connect a further 682MW of new clean generation before Christmas 2023 with the implementation of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in full swing.
The increase in renewable energy uptake, thanks to large scale investment and global partnerships, has seen Queensland’s renewable energy supply increase by more than 20 per cent in just one year and by more than 250 per cent in eight years.
Renewable energy targets of 50 per cent by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035 will be legislated as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan to ensure all Queenslanders have access to cleaner, reliable and affordable power for generations.
Queensland Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said, “Queensland remains on track to reach our 2030 renewable energy and emissions reductions target thanks to our partnerships with investors and landholders.
“Once renewables dominate the wholesale electricity market, we will see long term reductions in wholesale power prices, with the CSIRO’s most recent GenCost Report reaffirming that renewables are the cheapest form of energy.
“But we can only do this by transitioning away from coal and gas generation, which continues to set the wholesale electricity market and drive electricity prices up for Queenslanders.
“We know Queenslanders are working hard to increase renewable energy uptake in the Sunshine State, with more than 800,000 rooftops now fitted with solar.
“We will see further opportunity for local businesses, and a significant economic uplift for regional and rural communities as we continue towards our targets and enshrine the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in law.
“Queensland’s mighty sun and wind, combined with our majority public ownership, means we remain in prime position to meet our renewable energy targets.”
