Ministerial Energy Council

Ministerial Energy Council – 9 July 2024

Members of the Ministerial Energy Council met on 9 July 2024. Chaired by the Minister, the meeting covered a range of agenda items, including updates on:

• The Queensland Climate Transition Act 2024 and the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024,
• Queensland’s opportunities in the low carbon liquid fuels sector,
• Building Queensland’s workforce to support renewables growth, and
• Community engagement for renewables transformation.

Ministerial Energy Council – 20 February 2024

Members of the Ministerial Energy Council met on 20 February 2024. Chaired by the Minister, the meeting covered a range of agenda items including updates on:

• the implementation of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan
• proposed legislation: the Queensland Climate Transition Bill 2023 and the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023
• hydrogen industry development
• the Queensland Business Energy Saving and Transformation (QBEST) Program and Battery Booster Program.

Ministerial Energy Council – 3 July 2023, Brisbane

Members of the Ministerial Energy Council met on 3 July 2023.

The Minister announced the imminent release of the Queensland Farmers Federation Landholder Toolkit, a framework for cooperation between landholders and renewable energy proponents to enable fair benefits for all parties.

MEC members noted the significant progress on Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan including:

• Queensland’s announcement of $19 billion towards energy initiatives including the two publicly owned Pumped Hydro Energy Storage projects,
• Cost of Living rebates including $550-1,072 for households and $650 for small businesses, and
• significant infrastructure announcements including:
  • $15 million funding for the CQ-H2 FEED Study
  • Stanwell’s $221.2 million towards development of the 252MW Wambo Wind Farm, and
  • $200 million to commence construction of Tarong West Windfarm
  • $251 million for new grid-scale batteries in Queensland’s southern and central REZ regions.

MEC members were briefed on the Queensland Government’s draft Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill implementation and the Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap. The Bill’s consultation process through June 2023 has received over 70 submissions with general support for the draft legislation which will be addressed and considered for introduction in 2023.

MEC members were provided an overview of the Queensland Renewable Energy Zones Roadmap which will be given effect to, through the Bill – the REZ Roadmap will soon be released for consultation.

MEC members were provided an update on Hydrogen inustry developments including the development of a national Guarantee of Origin assurance scheme.

The Minister welcomed feedback through the MEC Hydrogen Subcommittee on a proposal for a public awareness campaign for Queensland’s exciting new green hydrogen industry.

MEC members provided feedback ahead of the Energy and Climate Change Ministers’ meeting this week.
The Minister thanked MEC members for their ongoing engagement.

Approved by Ministerial Energy Council
3 July 2023

Ministerial Energy Council – 15 February 2023, Brisbane

Members of the Ministerial Energy Council met on 15 February 2023 and reflected on recent market interventions including wholesale price caps and Bill Relief packages being delivered by Commonwealth and Queensland Governments. Minister de Brenni highlighted the Queensland Government’s continuing commitment to protecting Queensland consumers and business, while ensuring markets work in their interests.

Minister de Brenni invited Mr Lance McCallum MP, Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030, to reflect on the Government’s forthcoming introduction of legislation to Parliament that will enshrine a framework for a treaty with Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples forever. Minister de Brenni welcomed Mr McCallum’s significant contribution towards Queensland’s Path to Treaty and encouraged MEC members to support this important initiative.

Minister de Brenni invited Chris Shaw, Deputy Director-General, Hydrogen, to present an overview of the significant economic, jobs and climate action opportunity of Queensland’s green hydrogen industry through a National Hydrogen Strategy review. MEC members ideas were also sought on identifying Queensland's priorities for the strategy ahead of the National Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council being held next Friday.

MEC members discussed the need for the review of the strategy to include response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, and support development of domestic demand and use of hydrogen. MEC members also discussed the importance that community is engaged in the review of the strategies to ensure community confidence for the industry’s development.

MEC members acknowledged the stepping down of Professor Peta Ashworth as the Chair of the Hydrogen Taskforce and thanked her for her leadership over the last two years. Members also recognised the ongoing work and contributions of the Hydrogen Subcommittee to developing Queensland’s hydrogen industry.

Members also discussed the US Inflation Reduction Act and its potential impacts and opportunities for Queensland and Australia. A key theme is the importance of a considered and effective national response to ensure Australia is a competitive destination for global clean energy investment, capacity and workforce.

Queensland will continue to advocate for consideration of a national response to growing global competition at the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council.

On transmission access reform and congestion management, members considered the importance of national reforms complementing Queensland Renewable Energy Zone development to support investment in new renewables.

The MEC, through the Minister, recognised the work of over 12,000 members of Queensland’s energy sector for their highly regarded expertise in protecting the State’s network during recent heatwave and bushfire events.

The Minister concluded by again thanking MEC members for their ongoing engagement and commitment.

Ministerial Energy Council – 5 December 2022, Brisbane

ENERGY POWERHOUSE TAKES GREEN STEP TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Members of Queensland’s Ministerial Energy Council met on 5 December 2022 to discuss key priorities to address cost of living and energy for households and businesses, and take real action on climate change through the state’s renewable energy transformation.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni took the first official step ahead of the establishment of the national Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council by inviting the Hon Meaghan Scanlon MP, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs to join and help prepare Queensland to take national climate change leadership. MEC members noted the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan has a target to reduce household and business electricity emissions by 96% by 2040. They also discussed the need for every element of the national energy framework to be working in concert towards reducing emissions and driving new renewables and storage.

The Minister sought MEC members’ priorities and ideas on renewable energy supply chain development. MEC members discussed the Queensland Government’s Energy Manufacturing Opportunity Prospectus released in October 2022, which has already received significant response from more than 230 companies ready to build the manufacturing capacity in Queensland to deliver the SuperGrid. MEC members noted that a national cross-portfolio approach would build on this momentum and further drive renewables and jobs in regional areas.

The Council encouraged Energy Ministers from around Australia to come to Queensland and see how the energy transformation is taking shape.

The Minister thanked MEC members for their ongoing engagement.

Approved by Ministerial Energy Council
5 December 2022

Ministerial Energy Council – 18 October 2022, Brisbane

Members of the Ministerial Energy Council met on 18 October 2022.

The meeting welcomed Sarah Zeljko, newly appointed Chair of Energy Queensland Limited as an observer, and congratulated her on her appointment at a critical time in the evolution of the business. The meeting considered the recently released Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and noted the positive feedback about its bold vision. MEC discussed its benefits for the sector and all Queenslanders. The Minister thanked MEC members for their crucial role in developing the plan and acknowledged the significant role MEC members will continue to play in delivering a clean energy economy; empowering households and businesses, creating secure jobs and thriving communities.

The MEC noted the release of the draft Regional Energy Transformation Partnerships Framework and the Minister encouraged circulation through networks.

The MEC noted an update on the Clean Energy Manufacturing Opportunities Prospectus and the strong interest shown by local manufacturers in delivering components for the Queensland SuperGrid.

Members noted the release of the report on ‘Strategic Planning for Hydrogen Production and Export Facilities’ on Thursday, as another significant step in the development of Queensland’s green hydrogen industry.

The MEC also considered a number of national Energy Ministers’ matters.

The Minister sought MEC members’ priorities and contributions to Queensland’s engagement on the National Energy Transformation Partnership and the common commitment by governments to achieving net zero emissions ahead of forthcoming Energy Ministers’ Meetings.

The Minister thanked MEC members for their ongoing engagement.

Ministerial Energy Council—11 August 2022, Brisbane

Members of the Ministerial Energy Council met virtually on 11 August 2022.

The meeting discussed reforms to support ongoing security of the national energy market and resilience of the sector ahead of the National Energy Ministers’ meeting.

The Minister sought MEC members’ views on impacts for Queensland on a number of policy reforms to be discussed to ensure efficient market operations (including the Administered Price Cap and the Capacity Mechanism) and consideration of strengthening collaboration towards net zero emissions.

The Minister thanked MEC members for their ongoing engagement.

Ministerial Energy Council—8 June 2022, Brisbane

Members of the Queensland Ministerial Energy Council and the Major Market Participants met virtually on 8 June 2022.

The meeting discussed the Queensland options in response to events in the energy market ahead of the first meeting of Ministers to be convened by the new Australian Government.

The Minister noted feedback from all group members and welcomed continued engagement.

Ministerial Energy Council—1 December 2021, Brisbane

Members of the Queensland Ministerial Energy Council met virtually on 1 December 2021 to examine and discuss key opportunities and challenges in the future energy landscape, and the development of the energy plan.

Queensland continues to perform well with a 20% reduction in prices since 2015, 20.02% renewable energy by consumption and a forecast 10% reduction in prices for the next three years.

Over the coming months, the Council and its subcomittees will engage on key topics underpinning the development the energy plan and the significant energy system transformation for Queensland, including driving investment, reducing emissions, putting downward pressure on energy costs, creating decent and secure jobs and maximising opportunities for renewable energy to support economic development and local benefits for communities.

The Council was briefed on the targeted and broader consultation approach that would be led by the Department of Energy and Public Works.

The Council agreed that regional engagement should form a key focus in early 2022, including consultations on emerging opportunities for industries such as hydrogen, renewable energy and supply chains.

Today the Council noted reports from all three subcommittees.

The Consumer Voice subcommittee presented advice to the Council aimed at ensuring people remain at the core of Queensland’s future energy plan.

The Hydrogen Development subcommittee presented a three-stage Hydrogen Workforce Development plan to advance Queensland’s hydrogen skills to meet projected demand for skilled workers.

The Renewables and Energy Diversity subcomittee reported that work was continuing on exploring opportunities for supporting quality employment and local content outcomes from renewable energy and energy storage projects.

The Council noted the outcomes of the recent ENCRC and EMM meetings, parituclarly aroud the Energy Security Board’s Post-2025 Market design.

The Minister thanked the Council Members for their valuable insights and advised members of upcoming consultation and engagement opportunities that will help inform the development of the Queensland energy plan.

Ministerial Energy Council—16 September 2021, Brisbane

Members of the Queensland Ministerial Energy Council met virtually on 16 September 2021 to consider and discuss the Energy Security Board (ESB) Post-2025 Market Design released on 26 August 2021.

The Council focused discussion on the proposed Capacity Mechanism and proposed Congestion Management Model.

The Council considered the proposed reforms in the context of Queensland’s key energy priorities of: achieving 50 per cent renewables by 2030; ensuring a secure, sustainable and affordable electricity supply; and supporting further renewable and hydrogen investment to drive jobs and economic growth.

The Council was also invited to provide further feedback on how other proposed reforms within the Post-2025 Market Design could benefit or impact industry.

The Minister thanked the Ministerial Energy Council for their valuable advice which will help inform Queensland’s position and participation at the next Energy National Cabinet Reform Committee meeting.

Ministerial Energy Council—13 July 2021, Brisbane

Members of the Queensland Ministerial Energy Council met in Brisbane and online on 13 July 2021 following the government’s commitment to develop an Energy Plan which will outline its sectoral transformation pathway to 2030 and beyond.

The council will provide input to the Queensland Energy Plan. The important components of the Plan align with the council members’ collective priorities for Queensland in driving investment, reducing emissions, putting downward pressure on energy costs, creating decent and secure jobs and maximising opportunities for renewable energy to support economic development and local benefits for communities.

The council discussed the opportunities emerging from Queensland’s three Renewable Energy Zones to embed benefits across the energy supply chain, from local manufacturing to our capable workforces.

The council was invited to provide feedback out of session on important considerations to ensure Queensland’s hydrogen industry is competitively positioned to meet customers’ demands and maximise clean, renewable credentials.

The sub-committees of the Ministerial Energy Council will progress discussion of Energy Plan elements and a number of member papers.

The Minister thanked the Ministerial Energy Council for engaging early in the development of the Energy Plan.

Ministerial Energy Council—20 May 2021, Brisbane

The Queensland Ministerial Energy Council met in Brisbane on 20 May 2021 to establish a collaborative platform to discuss the vision and priorities for the Queensland Energy Sector.

The council recognised that whilst Queensland is on a critical path towards achieving its renewable energy target, the future achievement of objectives relies on a coordinated approach.

The council will focus on how Queensland can harness further opportunities in the energy sector to drive investment, not only in the sector itself but also in the broader economy where low cost, reliable, renewable energy can underpin economic development.

Key themes of renewables, hydrogen and consumer voice were discussed, and three sub-committees will be formed to work through identified opportunities and potential solutions.

There are distinct opportunities for Queensland to ensure that future investment maximises benefits across the energy supply chain, from employment and training to local manufacturing through well considered and innovative approaches.

The council committed to keeping workforce, community and consumer impacts front of mind and ensuring that benefits of technology and energy diversity are shared equally.

The Minister thanked the members for becoming members of the Ministerial Energy Council and looks forward to their ongoing engagement with government through the council, and their contribution to locking in delivery of a safe, secure, affordable and diverse energy outlook for Queensland.