Queensland aims to ‘supercharge’ more renewables projects with AU$2bn jobs fund

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The 50MW Kidston Solar Project in the north of Queensland. Image: Genex Power.

Queensland will invest AU$2 billion (US$1.55 billion) on renewables and hydrogen jobs to support the Australian state’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and help it deliver on its 50% clean energy target by 2030.

Announcement of the ‘Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund’ was described by Queensland’s premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, as a “watershed moment” for the state’s economic development.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

As well as supporting employment in areas spanning clean energy, hydrogen and manufacturing, the fund is expected to “supercharge” more renewables projects.

The package includes a previously announced AU$500 million fund that aims to allow Queensland’s three state-owned energy generators – CS Energy, Stanwell Corporation and CleanCo Queensland – to build, own or operate renewables projects.

Queensland’s minister for energy, renewables and hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said the fund will drive local manufacturing jobs in the renewables supply chain: “There is no reason why solar panels, electrolysers, batteries, wind farm components and new technology can’t be manufactured right here.”

The announcement was welcomed by Australian renewables association the Clean Energy Council, which said it looks forward to further details on how the funding will be used to deliver on Queensland’s renewable energy and hydrogen goals.

“With some of the best renewable energy and mineral resources on the planet, skilled workforces in the energy and resources sectors, and established energy trade links with Asia, the state is ideally placed to lean into the clean energy transition,” the association said in a statement.

By 2030, Queensland is aiming to cut emissions by 30% compared to 50% levels and have 50% of its energy generated from renewable sources – targets that “should be much stronger”, according to Jason Lyddieth, a climate change campaigner at environment organisation the Australian Conservation Foundation. Lyddieth, however, praised the latest funding announcement, which he said “is a significant investment in the move away from coal and positions Queensland to become a big clean energy exporter”.

Other efforts by the Queensland’s government to support renewables deployment have seen it earmark AU$145 million for three renewable energy zones and to fund new transmission infrastructure. The state has seen significant interest in the zones, with recent proposals recieved for projects featuring solar PV, wind, biomass and utility-scale battery storage.

The state is also set to host a green hydrogen plant planned by UK-based Eco Energy World, which hopes to build a AU$500 million complex featuring a 200MW hydrogen facility, 300MW of solar PV and a 100MW energy storage system. The company aims to begin construction next year.

Read Next

July 28, 2025
In a webinar hosted by Informa Markets, industry experts gathered to dissect the implications of the 45V clean hydrogen tax credit extension.
July 28, 2025
Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced it has invested a record AU$4.7 billion (US$3.09 billion) in large-scale renewables, energy storage, and transmission projects during the 12-month period ending 30 June 2025.
July 28, 2025
KKR has invested AU$500 million in Australia’s CleanPeak Energy to support the rollout of DERs such as rooftop solar PV and battery storage.
July 25, 2025
Oil and gas major bp has confirmed it will exit the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), a 26GW wind, solar and green hydrogen project planned for Western Australia.
July 24, 2025
Two major transmission infrastructure projects have progressed in Western Australia and New South Wales, in a win for renewables.
July 22, 2025
AEMO has reported a record-breaking surge in new renewable energy generation and storage assets reaching full operation within the NEM.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK