Queensland has passed new energy laws designed to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable power for households and businesses. The Energy Roadmap Amendment Act 2025 aims to strengthen existing energy assets and guide the state’s energy system into the future.
The Act provides a clear framework for energy infrastructure and investment. It streamlines processes, improves governance, and makes energy management more flexible. The legislation also locks in 100 per cent public ownership of current generation assets and maintains targets for transmission, distribution, and deep storage.
The Energy System Outlook, created under the Act, allows the state to respond to market needs while keeping public ownership strong. Strategic transmission development is supported through updated infrastructure frameworks and Regional Energy Hubs. The CopperString project in North and North West Queensland is also included, ensuring connection to the National Electricity Market.
The Energy Roadmap is expected to reduce energy system costs by $26 billion by 2035 and prevent the average household from paying an extra $1035 a year. Other measures include:
- $400 million Queensland Energy Investment Fund and new Investor Gateway to support private investment in energy projects.
- $1.6 billion Electricity Maintenance Guarantee to improve existing assets.
- $10 million for community-level batteries to store solar power and manage system load.
- Clear decision-making for state-owned coal assets.
- Tender for 400MW of new gas-fired generation in Central Queensland.
- Assessment of smaller pumped hydro projects.
- Construction of CopperString Eastern Link and planning for the Western Link.
- Regional Energy Hubs to reduce development costs.
- New code of conduct for renewable energy developers.
- Retention of the Job Security Guarantee Fund.
The legislation provides a market-driven approach to planning future energy needs while supporting public ownership and infrastructure growth. Queensland’s energy framework now balances affordability, reliability, and investment opportunities.
More information is available at www.treasury.qld.gov.au/energy-roadmap.