The Queensland government has unveiled its much-anticipated Energy Roadmap that outlines a five-year plan to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for the state.
This roadmap focuses on improving Queensland’s existing energy assets while building infrastructure necessary for the future energy needs, standing in contrast to the previous government’s energy plan.
The Energy Roadmap promises a reduction of $26 billion in energy system costs to 2035 compared with the earlier government’s early coal closure plan, preventing the average Queensland household from shouldering an extra $1,035 annually on energy bills.
A key feature of the plan is the clear support for the continued operation of Queensland’s coal-fired power stations, along with doubling down on fossil gas investments and encouraging private sector participation in new renewable energy generation and firming projects.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki articulated the government’s pragmatic approach, stating: “Our Energy Roadmap delivers what Queenslanders need, which is affordable and reliable energy that enhances their quality of life, fuels economic growth, and ensures long-term sustainability, all while ensuring our state is an attractive destination for private sector capital and creating jobs.”
He underscored the contrast with the previous government: “Labor’s energy plan lacked credibility, was undeliverable and would have resulted in Queensland households paying thousands more on top of their energy bills.”
The roadmap details significant funding commitments, including a $400 million Queensland Energy Investment Fund paired with the Queensland Investment Corporation’s new Investor Gateway, intended to drive private sector investment.
The government has also allocated $1.6 billion through an Electricity Maintenance Guarantee to renew and improve existing energy assets and introduced a tender process for 400 megawatts of new gas-fired generation in Central Queensland.
Additionally, the plan consolidates future pumped hydro projects under one management framework, aiming to streamline assessment and investment processes.
Infrastructure projects under the roadmap include progressing the Eastern Link of the CopperString transmission line in North Queensland and initiating work on the Western Link, as well as establishing Regional Energy Hubs to reduce development costs.
Community-level initiatives receive attention through a new $10 million investment into battery storage to enhance solar power use and minimum system load management.
A code of conduct will also be developed to guide renewable energy developers on responsible behaviour and community expectations.
Janetzki highlighted the government’s approach to coal power stations, stating: “The former Labor Government’s ideological decision to close coal units by 2035, regardless of their condition, is officially abolished.
“Queensland’s coal-fired fleet is the youngest in the country and state-owned coal generators will continue to operate for as long as they are needed in the system and supported by the market.”
He emphasised that this economic solution aims to keep downward pressure on prices while providing certainty for developers to invest in new infrastructure.
However, the roadmap has sparked significant criticism from energy experts, environmental groups, and advocacy organisations who warn that extending the life of coal-fired power stations and doubling gas investments undermines Queensland’s climate commitments and economic future.
Johanna Bowyer, Lead Analyst at IEEFA, warned: “Queensland needs to replace its ageing, increasingly unreliable coal-fired power stations with new low emissions assets as quickly as possible to maintain a reliable power supply and cut emissions.
“There are costs and risks associated with keeping ageing power stations in the system for longer – they experience more breakdowns as they age, leading to reliability risks and spikes in wholesale electricity prices.”
Stephanie Bashir, CEO of NEXA Advisory, argued the plan saddles Queenslanders with expensive energy: “Every report and analysis of the electricity market makes it crystal clear that delaying the transition is the worst possible outcome for consumers.
“Extending coal, which is already unreliable and expensive, means more outages, higher bills and less investment in cheap renewable alternatives, like wind and solar backed by batteries. The Queensland government has delivered a cul de sac, not a roadmap.”
Environmental advocates also voiced concern. Nicole Forrester, Chief Regenerative Officer at WWF-Australia, said the plan “lacks the vision and innovation needed to secure Queensland’s economic future”.
She emphasised the risks of ongoing coal use to climate and the Great Barrier Reef, noting: “Queenslanders are already feeling the effects of climate change and this is a roadmap to more fires, floods and heatwaves, and more mass bleaching events for the Great Barrier Reef.”
Dave Copeman, Director of Queensland Conservation Council, described the roadmap as a “missed opportunity”, warning it “dooms us to further energy chaos, power failures, higher prices and confusion for regional Queenslanders” and accused the government of failing to meet its climate action promises.
Meanwhile, the Clean Energy Industry Group highlighted that uncertainty over coal closures and government-led gas projects could undermine investor confidence and jeopardise private capital investment in renewables at a crucial time for Queensland’s energy transition.
Despite the criticisms, some positive measures in the roadmap were noted, such as investments in community batteries and a new solar power program aimed at benefiting 6,500 rental households, stepping towards inclusive access to affordable clean energy.
The Queensland government’s Energy Roadmap sets a contested path forward for Queensland’s energy future, balancing between extending traditional fossil fuel assets and cautiously embracing renewable investments amid heated debate about carbon reduction urgency and economic impacts.
