Queensland’s New Energy Roadmap Announced

Queensland’s energy future is set for a major shift with the release of the Crisafulli Government’s new Energy Roadmap, unveiled on Friday 10 October.  

The plan aims to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by improving existing assets, particularly coal and gas infrastructure, while continuing to support investment in renewables and emerging technologies.  

The roadmap replaces the previous government’s Energy and Jobs Plan, which had set ambitious targets for early coal plant closures and large-scale renewable expansion.  

What’s in the Roadmap 

The Energy Roadmap outlines a series of measures designed to stabilise energy prices, maintain reliability, and encourage private sector investment in new energy generation and firming projects. Key elements include: 

• $400 million Queensland Energy Investment Fund to attract private capital to new renewable and firming projects. 

• $1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee to improve and extend the life of existing energy assets. 

• A tender for 400MW of new gas-fired generation in Central Queensland. 

• Consolidated management of pumped hydro development under the Queensland Investment Corporation. 

• $10 million for community-level batteries to support solar storage.  

• Construction of the Eastern Link of the CopperString transmission line and beginning work on the Western Link. 

• New code of conduct for renewable energy developers, aimed at guiding responsible behaviour and improving community engagement.  

According to Treasurer and Minister for Energy, David Janetzki, the Roadmap will reduce total system costs by $26 billion to 2035 compared to the previous plan, preventing what the government estimates would have been an extra $1,035 per household each year.  

Treasurer and Minister for Energy, David Janetzki

Supporters say it’s a “pragmatic” plan 

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomed the announcement, saying it provides greater certainty for investors and recognises the continued role of coal and gas in the state’s energy mix.  

QRC CEO Janette Hewson described the plan as a “practical path to energy security”, ensuring replacement capacity is built before older generation assets are retired. She said extending the life of Queensland’s coal-fired stations will “allow more time for replacement capacity to come online and ensure a powerful mix of supply”.  

Supporters argue that leveraging Queensland’s existing assets, especially it’s relatively young coal fleet, will keep costs down for consumers and maintain energy reliability during the transition to renewables.  

Critics warn of a step backwards 

Climate and energy experts, however, have raised concerns that the Roadmap risks locking Queensland into high-emission energy for decades to come.  

The Climate Council criticised the plan as “reckless”, arguing that extending coal and gas generation could undermine Queensland’s legislated 2035 emissions reduction target of a 75% cut on 2005 levels.  

Energy Expert Greg Bourne described the roadmap as “a bet against Queensland’s future,” saying that continued investment in coal will lead to higher household bills and more climate pollution. The Council also warned that delays in renewable deployment could drive investment interstate, slowing progress toward a cleaner and more resilient energy system.  

A turning point for Queensland 

While the debate continues, one thing is clear: Queensland’s new Energy Roadmap represents a significant pivot in how the state plans to balance affordability, reliability and decarbonisation.  

With billions committed to both upgrading traditional assets and attracting new private investment, the Roadmap sets the stage for what could be a defining decade in Queensland’s energy landscape.