The Queensland Government will develop three Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), located in northern, central and southern Queensland. The REZs are intended to encourage investment in renewable generation and storage projects.
Indicative locations of potential REZ development have been identified based on network capacity, project pipeline and land use analysis. There are currently 12 potential REZs in Queensland across the planning and in-flight phases.
Potential REZs include:
- Southern Queensland REZs - Southern Downs REZ (in-flight), Western Downs REZ (in-flight), Woolooga REZ (planning), Darling Downs REZ (planning), Tarong REZ (planning.)
- Central Queensalnd REZs - Callide REZ (planning), Calliope REZ (planning), Isaac REZ (planning), Capricorn REZ (planning).
- North and Far North Queensland REZs - Far North Queensland REZ (in-flight), Collinsville REZ (planning), Flinders REZ (planning).
These preliminary locations represent the REZ connection to the shared network, and as each REZ is declared for consultation and development, the specific locations will be further defined.
Key Dates
| Sep 2020 | ROIs opened and closed |
Funding contributions
| Queensland Government | |
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In their COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan (Budget 2021-2022), the Queensland Government committed $145 million to establish 3 Queensland Renewable Energy Zones in southern, central, and northern Queensland. The Queensland Government allocated $6 million in July 2023 to undertake a strategic assessment of the three regions. |
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Procurement
| Tenderers (EOI/ROI): | ROIs opened for proponents interested in developing projects in the Northern, Central and Southern REZs, in September 2020, closing on 25 September. |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Aug 2020 | The Queensland Government committed $145 million to support network upgrades and streamline the development of new renewable generation projects in the Renewable Energy Zones. |
| Aug 2021 | The Queensland Government commenced consultation on the development of its three QREZs, seeking feedback from local communities, small business, manufacturers and renewables and hydrogen project developers on how the QREZs can provide community benefits and deliver positive economic outcomes. |
| Jul 2023 | The Queensland Government released the draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap which identifies an adapted framework and definition of a Renewable Energy Zone. |
| Jul 2023 | The Queensland Government announced that they have allocated approximately $6 million to undertake an initial Strategic REZ Readiness Assessment of the three regions where REZs will be developed. |
| Mar 2024 | The Queensland Government released its Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap. The Roadmap has been developed in line with the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan to meet the State’s renewable energy targets of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032, and 80 per cent by 2035. The Roadmap identifies 12 renewable energy zones (REZs) located primarily in the eastern part of the State and running from Far North Queensland to the border of NSW. It is expected that the REZs will provide 22 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable generation capacity by 2035. |
