9th December 2025
The State Government is planning to legislate their Energy Roadmap this week – weakening Queensland's renewable energy commitments and extending the life of ageing coal fired power stations. Leading energy, investor, conservation and community experts have warned the new energy bill risks leaving households exposed to higher electricity costs and pushing clean energy investment interstate.
Instead of a clear transition pathway, the roadmap removes legislated renewable energy targets, delays the replacement of ageing coal-fired power stations, and gives the Minister broad discretion over the state’s future generating mix – decisions experts say will undermine investor confidence and make the energy system more expensive and less reliable.
Experts say Queensland now risks losing its competitive edge at a time when other states, and global investment markets, are accelerating towards firmed renewables and clear emissions-reduction pathways.
The following experts are available for comment and analysis - for interviews, please contact: Sean Kennedy – 0447 121 378 – [email protected]
Stephanie Bashir, CEO, NEXA Advisory:
"Queenslanders are now being locked into the most expensive energy option. Every major market report shows that delaying the shift to firmed renewables is the worst possible outcome for consumers.
“Queensland’s transition and its industrial economy are at risk from this Bill. It means that Queenslanders are likely being saddled with the most expensive energy future.
“These measures will undermine investor certainty. That means longer and greater reliance on Queensland’s ageing coal-generation – their unreliability doesn’t just switch the air conditioners off when it’s hot, it shuts down the industrial engines of the state.
“The Queensland Government has to be honest about the poor performance of its coal-fired power stations, and ensure that their actions attract, not deter, investment in the state to replace it. This Bill does the opposite – it will deter investment in cheap renewable alternatives, like wind and solar backed by batteries – that means a hot and expensive future for Queensland’s families and businesses.
“Queenslanders lead the world in rooftop solar, the people have done their bit, this Bill is the Queensland Government stepping back from playing its part.’
Johanna Bowyer, Lead Analyst - Australian Electricity, IEEFA:
“Repealing the current renewable energy targets will reduce investor confidence in new renewable generation that is needed to replace ageing coal-fired power plants.”
"Queensland needs clarity on when coal is closing. Without a firm coal retirement schedule, investors in replacement capacity are left guessing, which jeopardises Queensland’s ability to replace ageing assets in a timely manner.”
“Extending the life of coal-fired power plants comes with costs and risks. As coal power plants age, they have more breakdowns which can lead to wholesale price spikes.”
“Refurbishing coal-fired power plants to extend their life can be both costly and risky. For example, the taxpayer-funded Muja AB refurbishment in Western Australia cost over $300 million and suffered technical issues, delays and cost overruns.”
David McElrea, Chief of Advocacy, Smart Energy Council:
"These policies are a deliberate step backwards — a political strategy to slow and undermine renewable energy in Queensland, not a plan to build a modern energy system.”
“Repealing targets, extending coal and handing ministers sweeping discretion are ideological choices that drive up risk, drive up prices, and drive investment away from Queensland.”
“Instead of backing the lowest-cost technologies the Government is locking Queenslanders into higher bills and a more unstable transition driven by politics rather than science or economics.”
Dr Lissa Schindler, Great Barrier Reef Manager, AMCS:
"Queensland is already living with the cost of climate pollution — more severe storms, deadly heatwaves and six mass bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef in just ten years. Keeping coal burning longer only makes the damage worse.
"If Queensland wants to protect its environment, economy and global reputation, it must accelerate renewables, not defer them."
Tom Dixon, Queensland Community Engagement Manager, RE-Alliance:
"Regional Queenslanders have everything to gain from a well-planned, well-paced renewable rollout – long-term jobs, local investment and energy security. This roadmap misses that opportunity by failing to capture the invaluable role of renewables.
"Communities need certainty and clarity. Unclear timelines for coal closures, transmission pipelines and renewables development create confusion and slow down benefits flowing to regional towns.
"Queensland communities need certainty on renewable energy projects so jobs, training and local investment can scale up.
"A safe, modern energy system is built on renewables, storage and clear planning. Extending coal usage, while the rest of the globe looks to renewable energy, just pushes costs and instability for communities into the future, and further isolates us from our global trading partners.”
Stephanie Gray, Campaigner, Queensland Conservation Council:
“Our latest report shows that Queensland’s ageing coal power stations had a staggering 131 outages in just the last year. We need to be building replacement renewable energy and storage now, not scaring away clean energy investment when we need it the most.
“The Crisafulli Government’s moves to axe renewable energy in favour of flogging our failing coal clunkers for decades to come is a recipe for unreliable energy, higher power bills and more pollution.
“Last week the Australian Energy Market Commission warned power prices would rise significantly if we didn’t get on with the job of building more renewable energy and transmission to replace ageing coal. Repealing Queensland’s renewable energy targets shows that the Queensland LNP is putting ideology over affordable clean energy for Queenslanders.”
Ariane Wilkinson, Senior Manager of Climate and Energy Policy, WWF-Australia:
“This bill is a dangerous backward step for Queensland.
“Keeping coal and delaying climate action will put the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders at risk and push the Great Barrier Reef to the brink. The Sunshine State is already feeling the effects of climate change, and this is a recipe for more fires, floods, heatwaves and mass coral bleaching events.
“The Queensland Government has an obligation to protect the Reef from threats like climate change. This bill will do the opposite and jeopardise the 77,000 full-time jobs that rely on a healthy Reef.
“Queenslanders deserve better. There is a wealth of clean energy investment that could be coming to our Sunshine State with the certainty of coal closure dates. Queensland has every opportunity to thrive with a clear and credible energy plan that drives down emissions and supports well-sited renewable energy to replace our increasingly unreliable coal power stations.”
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Key concerns raised across expert submissions include:
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Removal of renewable energy targets, which eliminates a core investment signal for clean energy.
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No clear timeline for coal closures, creating uncertainty for both investors and communities.
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Increased ministerial discretion over generation mix and infrastructure decisions, reducing transparency.
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New gas commitments, which risk locking in higher prices and more emissions.
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Weakened governance, including removal of independent advisory bodies and public reporting.
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Risks to Queensland’s climate targets and Great Barrier Reef protection commitments.
Experts say Queensland can still correct course by restoring clear targets, publishing a transparent coal closure schedule, reinstating independent oversight and prioritising firmed renewables over costly fossil fuel extensions.
Resources
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CLIMATE COUNCIL BRIEFING PAPER on Queensland’s Energy Roadmap
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NEXA: Coal performance in the NEM - Gladstone Power Station & Callide Power Station
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QCC report on outages and costs
Contact details:
Sean Kennedy – 0447 121 378 – [email protected]