Why we’re transitioning to renewables

The way the world produces and consumes energy is changing.

The move to renewable energy will help tackle climate change by decarbonising economies, create new jobs and industries, stabilise household and industry power bills, and bring greater energy independence.

Under the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP), by 2035 our state’s electricity system is planned to have:

• 25GW of new and existing large-scale wind and solar generation
• 2 large pumped hydro assets which together could deliver up to 7GW of long-duration storage
• more than 2,000km of high-voltage transmission lines, including CopperString 2032
• 6GW of battery storage supporting the grid.

Taking climate action

Queensland Parliament passed the Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024. By law, our state needs to meet emission reduction targets of:

• 30% below 2005 levels by 2030
• 75% below 2005 levels by 2035
• net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Act will deliver lasting benefits that safeguard Queenslanders’ way of life—protecting the environment for the enjoyment of future generations and unlocking new job opportunities.

Tracking progress for this climate action includes:

• an expert panel to advise the Minister about achieving emissions targets
• annual progress report on emission reductions and measures to increase job opportunities in emerging industries
• emission reduction program, reviewed by the Minister at least every 5 years
• interim reduction targets for 2040 and 2045, including consideration for economic, financial, social and environmental impact they may have in Queensland.

Boosting and protecting regional jobs

Our energy transformation is delivering more jobs in the energy sector and across the Queensland economy:

• 64,000 jobs in clean energy infrastructure, including new skilled jobs to build the Queensland SuperGrid
• 36,000 more jobs in new industry development, such as renewable hydrogen, battery manufacturing, resource mining and metal refining.

About 70% of the 100,000 renewable energy jobs forecast by 2040 are expected to be in regional Queensland. Learn about renewable energy opportunities in your region.

Development in Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) will help grow manufacturing and industry sectors. REZs will also bring opportunities for community development. This will be unique for each community, to best meet local needs, cultural values and environmental stewardship.

A $150 million Job Security Guarantee will support workers in our publicly-owned coal-fired power stations. This will provide secure futures, choices and opportunities as part of our energy transformation.

Stabilising energy prices

The cost of renewable energy technologies has been decreasing rapidly. This is making renewable energy more competitive with conventional energy sources.

Queensland households and businesses will benefit from greater access to renewable energy. Increasing renewable energy infrastructure now, will ensure energy costs are affordable in the future.

Boosting the publicly-owned clean energy system will also help stabilise energy costs for households and businesses.

Over time, renewable energy investment will result in significant cost savings for Queenslanders.

Economic benefits

There is a need for Queensland to decarbonise our state economy. Doing so will help to:

• develop new industries
• unlock the next resources boom
• attract investment
• attract international tourism
• create new export pathways
• provide greater prosperity for regions.

Independent modelling forecasts the Queensland economy will be $25.7 billion bigger by 2040 than without a renewable energy plan. Potential economic outcomes from adopting the QEJP include:

• a $33 billion hydrogen industry by 2040
• $3 billion in metal refining output by 2040, supporting 2,500 jobs
• a $5 billion increase in resource mining (excluding coal) by 2040, supporting 5,200 jobs.

Developing new industries

The renewable energy transformation is already growing new industries, including:

• energy manufacturing capabilities such as large-scale battery production
• supporting supply chains, including for large-scale solar projects
• end-of-life recycling capabilities for equipment like solar panels, batteries and wind turbines.

New resources boom

Our energy transformation is driving demand for critical minerals. This is creating greater need for locally mined resources such as copper, nickel and vanadium.

Critical minerals are essential to making technologies such as electric vehicles, energy efficient lighting, batteries and solar panels.

Attracting investment

Our commitment to renewable energy is attracting new investment from companies and industries looking to operate in a greener, more sustainable way. We’ve become a destination of choice for the private sector.

Our range of investment opportunities include:

• renewable energy generation
• renewable energy manufacturing and infrastructure development
• renewable hydrogen.

Investment will create new and ongoing employment opportunities for Queenslanders.

More information

• Find out about renewable energy investment opportunities in Queensland.
• Learn more about the Department of Energy and Climate’s Energy division.