Queensland’s renewable energy targets
On this page
In 2015, we started a renewable energy boom in Queensland to reduce emissions, create new jobs and diversify the state’s economy by establishing a 50% renewable energy target by 2030.
The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, released in September 2022, builds on this long-standing target, with new commitments of 70% renewable energy by 2032, and 80% by 2035. The plan sets out the infrastructure pathway and investments required to transform the State’s electricity system and achieve the 3 renewable energy targets while maintaining a safe, secure, reliable, and affordable supply of power.
Queensland is accelerating towards its renewable energy targets and now boasts 55 large-scale renewable energy projects (operating, under construction or financially committed) since 2015. This represents more than $12 billion of investment, around 9,000 construction jobs, over 6,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy and more than 16 million tonnes of avoided emissions each year (current as at 30 June 2024).
Combined with rooftop solar, the state has more than 10,000MW of renewable energy capacity, putting downward pressure on electricity prices.
In total, 27% of electricity generated in Queensland is produced from renewable energy sources (current as at 30 June 2024).
The clean energy generated from small-scale rooftop solar will play a key role in helping Queensland reach its renewable energy targets.
Already, around 850,000 homes and small businesses across Queensland have rooftop solar, generating clean energy with a combined capacity of over 5,300MW.
Queensland has the highest rate of household rooftop solar installations in Australia, with more than 1 in 3 homes using solar.
Renewable energy tracker
Queensland is on track to meet its targets.
This graph shows Queensland’s renewable energy generation percentage over the last 12 months.
How the estimates are calculated
The Queensland renewable energy targets require that 50% of Queensland’s electricity generation is sourced from renewables by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035.
Queensland already has significant renewable generation capacity and there are times when renewable generation exceeds 50%. However, there are variations in resource availability and dispatchability of both renewable and non-renewable generation.
The calculation of progress towards, and achievement of, the renewable energy targets in Queensland is on an electricity generation basis:
where generation refers to energy generated, measured in units such as megawatt-hours (MWh) or gigawatt-hours (GWh). The calculation aims to include all (as far as practicable) significant generators in Queensland. The generation estimates are limited to electricity generated within Queensland; energy generated outside of Queensland and transported into the state via interconnectors is excluded.
This calculation captures primary energy generation only. Secondary generation from energy carriers such as batteries and pumped hydro energy storage schemes are excluded from the calculation.
The calculation also excludes systems that displace the need for electricity, such as solar hot water systems and energy efficiency measures.
All parameters are “as generated”, meaning generator auxiliary loads are included in the calculation.
The calculation relies on publicly available information from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) for electricity generation data. Generally, this is generator metered output at 5-minute intervals.
AEMO also provides estimates for the generation from rooftop solar PV systems for residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Where AEMO measured output or estimates are not available, the calculation relies on estimates provided by the Department of Energy and Climate. These estimates are calculated using plant-specific capacity and published generation profiles where available, otherwise assumed generation profiles are applied.
Renewable energy initiatives
Queensland renewable energy zones (QREZ)
The $145 million QREZ initiative will grow Queensland’s position as an investment destination for large-scale renewable energy projects, creating more regional jobs.
Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund
The Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund allows energy government-owned corporations to increase ownership of commercial renewable energy and hydrogen projects, and support infrastructure, including in partnership with the private sector.
Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro: detailed design and cost analysis
The Queensland Government is investing $22 million to investigate the potential to construct a pumped hydro energy storage facility at Borumba Dam, located near Imbil, 45 minutes south-west of Gympie.
Clean energy in schools
The Advancing Clean Energy Schools Program will deliver solar power and energy efficiency solutions for Queensland state schools.
Solar 150 projects
Our Solar 150 program supports 4 projects through long-term revenue guarantees:
- Edify Energy’s Whitsunday Solar Farm
- Genex’s Kidston Solar Farm
- Canadian Solar’s Longreach Solar Farm
- Oakey Stage 1.
Solar for remote communities
In Queensland’s far north, the decarbonising remote communities program has seen renewable energy systems installed in 4 Indigenous communities.
CleanCo
In 2019, CleanCo was established as Queensland’s first publicly owned clean energy company to deliver affordable clean energy for Queenslanders.
CleanCo has entered into a power purchase agreement with Acciona to support 400MW of new capacity at the MacIntyre Wind Farm.
Renewables 400
The Queensland Government initiated the Renewables 400 reverse auction for up to 400MW of renewable energy capacity. Ten projects were shortlisted to progress to the next stage. CleanCo delivered Renewables 400, given the integral role it plays in the government’s commitment to a clean energy future.
Find out more
- View our interactive electricity generation map to explore where these renewable generation projects are and how they contribute to our energy mix.
- Read more about renewable energy for your business.
Contact us
For energy enquiries, contact 13 43 87 during business hours.
- Last updated:
- 23 July 2024