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The REZ Roadmap

Queensland is on track to become a renewable energy powerhouse.

The Queensland Government has released the draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap (PDF, 16.9MB) for consultation to support the coordination of this growth.

Queensland’s Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) help to coordinate development of clean energy infrastructure in areas of high renewable potential, maximising benefits for regional communities.

Across the Southern, Central, North and Far North Queensland regions we have worked with Powerlink Queensland, as the proposed REZ Delivery Body, to identify the indicative location of 12 potential future REZs to be developed in phases to 2035.

As new opportunities emerge over time, and in line with changing market conditions, additional REZs may be identified in the future.

The draft Roadmap (PDF, 6.1MB) outlines the pathway for connecting 22 gigawatts of new wind and solar generation – eight times more renewable energy than Queensland has now. This REZ development represents a steady pipeline of ongoing construction jobs and other community benefits over the coming years.

We have created a framework for developing REZs that works with landholders, communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, industry and regional stakeholders across all stages of REZ development.

The draft Roadmap has been developed in line with the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan to meet the state’s renewable energy targets of 50 per cent by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035.

The Roadmap has been released in draft to give Queenslanders an opportunity to have their say on how REZs are developed.

Energising our regions

Feedback on the draft Roadmap will guide the development of REZs across Southern, Central, North and Far North Queensland regions, including ways to:

Assess impacts and opportunities

  • REZ Readiness Assessments are proposed to carefully assess community needs to ensure they can seize opportunities from renewable energy development and manage impacts.

Empowering communities to shape outcomes

  • Regional Energy Reference Groups are proposed to help identify initiatives that should be supported through community investment schemes and to provide input into REZ Readiness Assessments and ongoing REZ development.

Invest in priorities

  • There is an opportunity through REZ development to expand community investment and target larger investments by pooling funds that will leave a positive legacy in communities. The Roadmap is seeking views on this opportunity and how communities can best have their say.

Read more about these proposals in the draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap and explore how we are unlocking the opportunity of Queensland’s renewable energy resources in these regions:

Outside Renewable Energy Zones

It’s vital that all Queenslanders have access to a clean energy future no matter where they live, from the South East to the Far North, and in Outback Queensland. There are a range of clean energy solutions for these areas across the state to meet their unique opportunities for decarbonising their energy supply.

Regional and remote Queensland covers a vast area of the state and is home to a diverse range of communities with strong links to country, agricultural production, minerals and commercial industries. From Outback Queensland to Cape York and the Torres Strait, remote communities have historically relied on diesel generation as an energy source. As these communities are not connected to Queensland’s main electricity grid, other projects will be delivered to support regional communities through the energy transformation. Read more.

Have your say

We invite feedback on the draft REZ Roadmap focussing on these four questions:

  • What should the strategic and detailed REZ Readiness Assessments focus on to maximise local opportunities and manage impacts from REZ development?
  • How should Regional Energy Reference Groups be established and what role should they play in setting local investment priorities and shaping REZ outcomes?
  • Should there be a coordinated scheme in place to invest in local priorities to leave a positive legacy for REZ communities and how should this operate?
  • What else do we need to consider for REZ development in Queensland?

Community feedback will inform how Queensland REZs are developed and will be published in the final 2023 REZ Roadmap. Email your feedback as a submission to REZRoadmap@epw.qld.gov.au by Friday 22 September 2023.

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Last updated: 
14 July 2023