Draft laws to protect energy workers and maintain ownership of energy system

• Legislating 70% renewable energy by 2032 – and 80% by 2035
• Protecting energy workers in law
• Maintaining a publicly controlled energy transition with significant private investment opportunities in generation, hydrogen, and supply chains

The Palaszczuk Government is taking the first steps to enshrine the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in law, today releasing draft legislation and calling for feedback.

The plan sets out a pathway to bring 22GW of new wind and solar projects by 2035, supported by grid-scale batteries and pumped hydro storage. 

Independent analysis projects 100,000 jobs will be created through the transformation.

More than $62 billion of investment will be injected, at least 95 per cent in regional Queensland. 

The draft Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 establishes the framework to provide clarity and certainty to consumers, workers, investors, and industry. 

Renewable energy targets will be legislated: 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032, and 80% by 2035.

The legislation will also support 100% ownership of Queensland’s power line transmission and distribution network, and deep multi-day storage from world-class Borumba and Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro projects.

Queensland will also maintain its majority share of generation, currently averaging 54%, while there will be a strong role for the private sector in delivering renewables, other storage assets, and innovative energy technologies.

A world-first Job Security Guarantee and Fund will secure energy workers’ access to jobs, training, and financial assistance. 

The legislation set ups planning and governance frameworks to ensure an orderly transition - including Renewable Energy Zones, Queensland Energy System Advisory Board, Energy Industry Council, and the Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate.

Views of stakeholders and community will refine the Bill, with definitions and methodology to be developed with unions, advocates, industry, and investors, with engagement already underway.

The closing date for feedback is 23rd June 2023.

Quotes attributable to the Premier:

“We are building the Queensland SuperGrid, Australia’s largest, which will provide the backbone to our new energy system to transport renewable energy across the state,” the Premier said. 

“Queensland also has some of the best wind and solar resources in the world which is why we are seeing so many renewable energy projects planned or underway. 

“The legislation will also provide security for our energy workforce as the energy transition occurs, makes sure no worker is left behind, and legislates our commitment to public ownership.”

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Premier:

“Queensland’s blueprint for achieving decarbonisation, the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, is the most ambitious of any government in Australia,” Mr Miles said. 

“Our plan is only possible because we have retained public ownership of our energy assets and this Bill helps protect that ownership.

“We’re putting Queensland on the map as a global leader in renewable energy and reducing energy system emissions by 96% by 2040.

“We’re also building our local manufacturing capacity because we will need thousands of batteries, wind turbines, solar panels and kilometres of transmission lines – and we want that equipment built here in Queensland, so Queenslanders get the benefits.”

Quotes attributable to the Treasurer:

“Only Labor has the vision to invest in new industries such as renewable energy, critical minerals, battery manufacturing, and green hydrogen. 

“These projects include the game-changing CopperString 2032 electricity transmission line, the Townsville and Gladstone Hydrogen Hubs and the Pioneer-Burdekin and Borumba Pumped Hydro schemes. 

“Regional Queensland will be front and centre to take advantage of the thousands of jobs that will be supported by these projects.” 

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen:

“These laws make real our commitment to 96 per cent reduction in energy emissions by 2040 and the forecast of 100,000 Queensland jobs, the majority in regional Queensland. 

“By enshrining public ownership in law, we make sure Queenslanders will continue to control the energy transition in the interests of reliability and affordability.

“We started the development of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan by considering how we look after workers and the communities in which they live first, and these laws are designed to ensure only a change of government could take that away.” 

Further information

• The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is already transforming the state into a renewable energy powerhouse and propelling Queensland toward zero net emissions by 2050.
• The Bill provides certainty to investors in renewable hydrogen, battery manufacturing, mining and metal refining which will grow as competitive clean energy makes Queensland an investment destination of choice to meet global demand for green products.
• The plan maps a path for 95% of Queensland SuperGrid infrastructure investment in the regions, turbo-charging industry and manufacturing with 100,000 jobs by 2040.
• It includes two deep pumped hydro energy storage projects – 5GW Pioneer-Burdekin west of Mackay and 2GW Borumba Dam, west of the Sunshine Coast (noting other smaller scale battery and hydropower initiates are in construction or in planning stages)
• Publicly owned coal-fired power stations will evolve into clean energy hubs by 2035.
• The $4.5 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund empowers publicly owned energy corporations to partner with industry to accelerate the clean energy transition.
• A new solar PV system is installed every 10 minutes in Queensland – and so dozens of community batteries are being rolled out to support our world-leading rooftop solar uptake.

Read more about the exposure draft of the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 here.  

To read the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, visit About the plan | Department of Energy and Public Works (epw.qld.gov.au).

ENDS

Media contact – Elise Williams 0482 503 675