Foreword

The launch of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (the plan) was a landmark moment in the state’s history as we committed to transform our energy sector and power more jobs across the state. Thanks to the skill and ambition of Queenslanders, we have taken significant steps to deliver on our commitment in the first year since the plan’s launch.

With 27 per cent renewable energy supply now in Queensland, we are on schedule to reach our first renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030. Clean energy supply is set to grow even more, with more generation and storage to commence operations over the next 12 months and beyond.

This investment in renewable energy projects also translates to long-term job opportunities for our regions. Since the launch of the plan, more opportunities are in the pipeline as we build the Queensland SuperGrid. We are investing $90 million to deliver two Queensland SuperGrid Training Centres – the first interim centre opened in Gladstone in May and the second in Townsville in August. Training our next generation of workers will ensure we build the capability and capacity locally to support the transition and become a world leader in renewable energy.

We have also started early works on CopperString 2032 to connect vast renewable wind and solar resources in North and North West Queensland, unlocking the critical minerals we need to support our renewable energy transformation.

Queensland’s renewable hydrogen sector is also making great strides, positioning Queensland as a world-leading producer and exporter, attracting strong international interest. Among more than 50 renewable hydrogen projects across the state, the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (CQ-H2) in Gladstone is on track to be Queensland’s largest when it commences commercial production.

Since we released our plan for a clean energy future, there has been a significant volume of new energy generation committed or proposed, demonstrating that we’re delivering investment and confidence in our energy transition. The results speak for themselves. Queensland is the only jurisdiction with adequate committed projects in the pipeline to meet its clean energy targets, meaning we are on track to meet our targets to power industry, support businesses and provide Queenslanders with clean, reliable and affordable energy for generations.

Mick de Brenni MP

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and

Minister for Public Works and Procurement

The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (the plan) sets out our state’s bold vision to achieve 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035. As the ‘Sunshine State,’ we have world-class solar and wind, the ideal landscape for large-scale pumped hydro projects, and the critical minerals under the ground to support the renewable energy transformation.

Since the plan’s release, the Department of Energy and Public Works, alongside government owned corporations, and the broader energy industry, have worked together to achieve many key milestones, including:

With extensive headway being made to deliver on key priorities in the plan, the state is in a solid position to develop a clean energy economy, empower households and businesses and secure jobs for our communities.

The Queensland Government has prepared the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 to support Queensland’s energy transformation.

The Bill is designed to help deliver the plan by:

More than 90 submissions came from industry and community stakeholders to help inform the final Bill. The legislation is expected to be introduced into Queensland Parliament in late 2023, marking a pivotal milestone to cement Queensland’s renewable future.

Halfway to renewable energy milestone

Queensland’s rich natural resources, combined with our abundant sunshine and wind, puts us in a prime position to bolster our reliance on renewable energy to power the state.

To maximise this potential, three regions were identified in 2020 as key areas of renewable energy development, called Queensland Renewable Energy Zones (QREZ). The Queensland Government committed $145 million to support their initial investment.

This funding helped to establish in-flight renewable energy development by backing storage and transmission infrastructure to support more energy generation. In-flight Renewable Energy Zones are renewable energy development that Powerlink, Queensland’s publicly owned transmission company, are progressing under the existing National Electricity Rules.

Work to progress and coordinate renewable energy development in Queensland has surged ahead.

The release of the draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap identified an adapted framework and definition of a more targeted Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Regions have also been refined to align with Local Government Areas and 12 potential future REZs have been identified within the Southern, Central and North and Far North Queensland regions.

The indicative locations of potential REZ development have been identified based on network capacity, project pipeline and land use analysis. These preliminary locations represent the REZ connection to the shared network, and as each REZ is declared for consultation and development, the specific locations will be further defined.

In July 2023 the draft roadmap was released for public consultation and submissions were received from community, industry and government stakeholders. The feedback will help guide the final roadmap.

Delivering savings for Queensland households

The Queensland Government is giving households relief on their electricity bills for 2023-24 through the Cost of Living Rebate.

Every household will receive a $550 rebate. The rebate will be divided into quarterly instalments and automatically applied to household electricity bills.

Seniors, pensioners and concession cardholders may be eligible for a higher rebate of up to $700. Combined with the existing Electricity Rebate, eligible vulnerable households could save up to $1,072 over the 2023-24 financial year.

To further support Queenslanders, the Climate Smart Energy Savers rebate program was launched in September 2023. Queenslanders have shown overwhelming support for energy efficient appliances,

with thousands of households benefiting from rebates under the program.

The program includes rebates from $300-$1000 and encourages households to upgrade to 4-star (or higher) energy efficient appliances including refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners and solar and heat pump hot water systems.

Upgrading to a 4-star energy efficient appliance (for example from a 2-star appliance) is estimated to save up to $134 on energy bills and cut carbon emissions by up to 0.35 tonnes each year. Switching to an energy-efficient hot water system can cut power bills by up to $1118 and reduce carbon emissions by up to

2.96 tonnes annually.

Climate Smart Energy Savers is the first household energy savings program to be released under the plan and will provide rebates for up to 80,000 households.

More renewable energy projects supported by jobs fund

Queensland’s ambitious renewable energy targets will not only help end the state’s reliance on fossil fuels, it will also generate more ongoing jobs as work ramps up.

Already, more than half of the $4.5 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund has been allocated to support more publicly owned renewable energy projects and boost employment opportunities.

Around $2.2 billion has been allocated to government owned corporations to develop key renewable energy projects as part of the plan. This includes $192.5 million towards Stanwell’s investment in the 252 MW Wambo Wind Farm near Dalby and $776.1 million for Stanwell’s 500 MW Tarong West Wind Farm outside of Kingaroy.

Renewable hydrogen projects are progressing with support from the fund, including $15 million to progress Stanwell’s proposed Central Queensland

Hydrogen Project in Gladstone. This project has the potential to be the largest of its kind in Queensland.

$28.9 million has been allocated to a partnership led by CS Energy to develop the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant and refueling facilities near Chinchilla.

This investment, coupled with private sector partnerships, ensures government owned corporations can continue to invest in renewable energy, storage, and hydrogen projects in the Renewable Energy Zone regions of Southern, Central and North and Far North Queensland.

Queensland’s emerging hydrogen industry presents an exciting opportunity for our state to become a world-leading producer and exporter of renewable hydrogen. As we build our capacity and capability in this sector, careful strategic planning is essential to ensure the renewable hydrogen industry in Queensland can be delivered at scale.

The Enabling Queensland’s hydrogen production and export opportunities report released in October 2022, examines the potential to produce and export renewable hydrogen across the state, taking advantage of Queensland’s world-class port infrastructure and our proximity to Asian markets.

The state-wide study is being used as an important guide to ensure the industry grows sustainably, while balancing economic opportunities with environmental, social, and cultural values.

Renewable hydrogen will play a significant role in decarbonising our heavy industries and the transport sector.

For the renewable hydrogen industry in Queensland to reach its full potential, a clear and transparent regulatory pathway for industry development is required.

The first phase of regulatory reform is being progressed through the Gas Supply and Other Legislation (Hydrogen Industry Development) Amendment Bill 2023 which was introduced into the Queensland Parliament by Minister de Brenni in May 2023. The Bill is an important step to support the construction, operation and safety of Queensland’s hydrogen and other renewable gas pipelines.

The second phase of reform is also underway through a wide-ranging review of the broader regulatory framework applying to hydrogen industry development. This phase will identify and progress further options for reforms to streamline the safe and sustainable development of the hydrogen industry.

Engaging with community and industry is integral to bring Queensland’s renewable energy plan to life. At events held across the state, community leaders, business owners, industry representatives and locals heard about the plan and the benefits for regional areas now and into the future.

Since the first community event in Toowoomba in November 2022, the Department of Energy and Public Works, along with government owned corporations, have visited close to a dozen regional areas – from Gladstone and Emerald to Mackay and Townsville, as well as communities across the south-east and greater Brisbane.

Ranging from regional shows and community events to standalone Queensland Energy and Jobs Fairs, the events featured interactive displays, information booths and activities hosted by Queensland Government agencies and corporations.

Community members were interested in hearing about

the employment and economic impacts and opportunities that renewable energy projects would bring to their region.

Community events provided a valuable opportunity to achieve meaningful engagement with Queenslanders and to demonstrate how the plan would drive job growth and create clean, reliable, and affordable energy for the state.

Engagement with the energy industry and all levels of government has been a focus since the plan was released, including exploring the issues and opportunities from the draft Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap and the draft Regional Energy Transformation Partnerships Framework.

Meaningful engagement and opportunities for direct feedback are essential to successfully deliver the plan and ensure communities are empowered throughout the renewable energy transformation.

Stanwell Corporation

CleanCo

Energy Queensland Limited

Powerlink Queensland

CS Energy

Queensland Hydro