Queensland’s renewable energy target
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 a range of actions to drive investment; deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy to households and businesses; give certainty and deliver better outcomes to our workers and communities; and unlock opportunities for industry.
Queensland is accelerating towards its renewable energy targets and now boasts 52 large-scale renewable energy projects (operating, under construction or financially committed). This represents more than $10 billion of investment, around 8,000 construction jobs, over 5,900 megawatts (MW) of clean energy and more than 14 million tonnes of avoided emissions each year (current as at 5 May 2023).
Combined with rooftop solar, the state has more than 9,000MW of renewable energy capacity, putting downward pressure on electricity prices.
In total, 24.9% of electricity used in Queensland is produced from renewable energy sources (current as at 5 May 2023).
The clean energy generated from small-scale rooftop solar will play a key role in helping Queensland reach its renewable energy targets.
Already, more than 780,000 homes and small businesses across Queensland have rooftop solar, which generates around 4,500MW of clean energy.
Queensland has the highest rate of household rooftop solar installations in Australia, with 1 in 3 homes using solar.
Renewable energy tracker
Queensland is on track to meet this target.
This table shows the monthly average over the last 12 months.
This graph shows Queensland’s renewable energy generation as a percentage of consumption over the last 12 months.
How the estimates are calculated
The Queensland renewable energy target (QRET) requires that 50% of Queensland’s electricity consumption is sourced from renewables by 2030.
Queensland already has significant renewable generation capacity and there are times when renewable generation exceeds 50% of Queensland's consumption. However, there are variations in resource availability and dispatchability of both renewable and non-renewable generation.
As recommended in the final report of the Renewable Energy Expert Panel (PDF, 2634.97 KB), the renewable energy percentage is calculated as the ratio of renewable generation to consumption.
The calculation of Queensland’s renewable energy percentage relies on publicly available data from AEMO, supplemented by Department estimates for generators where AEMO data is not available (typically smaller generators below 30MW in capacity).
The Department seeks to assess the contribution of every renewable generator to calculate the total renewable generation in Queensland. This includes renewable generation not collected by AEMO such as small hydro and small bagasse plants which were Queensland’s very first renewable facilities. The department also refers to data from the Clean Energy Regulator.
Generally, the department utilises 5-minute metered generation data whenever possible. Where this option is not available, the department either relies on AEMO estimates or makes its own estimates when AEMO estimates are not available using the energy capacity of the plant and standard generation profiles.
Renewable generation data
Calculating the renewable percentage employs data from Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) for metered generation, and is supplemented by the Department of Energy and Public Works’ estimates where necessary for some small generators.
The renewable generation data used is as follows:
| Parameter | Data source |
|---|---|
| Renewable energy generation | AEMO, supplemented by department estimates for generators where AEMO data is not available |
| Small-scale solar / rooftop PV | AEMO estimates |
AEMO publishes actual 5-minute electricity generation data for scheduled generating units, semi-scheduled generating units and some non-scheduled generating units. AEMO also provides estimates for the output from rooftop solar PV systems.
Consumption data
Consumption data used is as follows:
| Parameter | Data source |
|---|---|
| Operational demand – demand met by scheduled and semi-scheduled generators | AEMO |
| Demand met by non-scheduled generation not included in operational demand | AEMO, supplemented by department estimates for smaller generators not reported by AEMO (typically those below 30MW) |
| Consumption in Mt Isa and isolated networks | Department consumption figures based on energy supply studies and input from Energy Queensland Ltd. |
| Demand met by rooftop PV | AEMO estimates |
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. This complements a further 102MW of capacity at the site that will be owned and operated by CleanCo—adding to the state’s publicly owned electricity assets.
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:
- 5 May 2023