The State Government of Queensland in Australia has finalized the Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap (REZ Roadmap), advancing its plans to develop 12 such zones to host around 22 GW new grid-scale clean energy capacity.
Since July 2023, the government had been collecting inputs to its REZ Roadmap to develop 12 zones in 3 phases by 2035. It had estimated that the number of the zones may go up in the future as the state converts all publicly owned coal-fired power plants into clean energy hubs (see Australian State Reveals REZ Roadmap).
Having evaluated the responses, Queensland has now released a new framework that it says outlines a clear path for the growth of renewables in the state. It is soon to become a law, states the government.
"The REZ Roadmap paves a clear way forward to ensure all regions of the State benefit from the economic and investment opportunities renewable energy brings," said Queensland Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni. "We're taking intentional, measured steps to deliver a clear and detailed framework, which has never been rolled out in Australia on this scale before."
Each of these 12 REZs will host significant wind, solar and storage capacity to be connected to the state's SuperGrid.
Part of the government's Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP), it sees the REZs as instrumental for connecting the renewable energy needed for a clean, competitive economy, as well as achieving Queensland's targets for 50% renewable energy by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035.
To achieve these targets, the state's energy system will need around 6 times more large-scale wind and solar generation capacity by 2035 than what is currently operational.
The 1st official REZ to be developed will be in the Central Queensland region. It has been selected for its existing coal-fired power stations and large electricity loads. This one already has 9 solar farms, 1 wind farm and a further 48 renewable energy projects in the pipeline.
State authorities aim to begin the Central Queensland REZ Readiness Assessment process in H1/2024. It will be followed by further community engagement to roll-out key infrastructure and supply chains.
An initial AUD 6 million ($3.9 million) has been committed by the state for the Central Queensland Strategic REZ Readiness Assessments, along with those for North, Far North, and Southern Queensland that are planned for late 2024. An additional AUD 20 million ($13 million) will be allocated from the Regional Economic Futures Fund to action outputs from the assessments.
Queensland says this roadmap makes community as the center for the renewables rollout. Landholders, First Nations people and key industry stakeholders will help shape the REZ roll out in phases.
The detailed updated REZ roadmap of Queensland is available on the State Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works (HPW) website.