TL;DR: Queensland is undergoing an unprecedented energy transition as it retires legacy coal-fired generators and expands its pipeline of wind, solar, and battery storage projects. According to market data from RenewMap, Queensland has 708 active projects tracking a total capacity of 206,494 MW. With 515 projects in the pipeline and 193 currently operating, the state's transition is marked by massive infrastructure developments, including the 4,200 MW RAPAD Power Grid project and major wind and solar assets under construction.
The Scale of Queensland's Active Energy Portfolio
Queensland's energy landscape is shifting rapidly from coal to renewable alternatives. Market snapshot data compiled by RenewMap reveals the immense scale of this infrastructure pipeline. Across all active energy and infrastructure projects in the state, RenewMap tracks a total of 708 active projects, representing a massive 206,494 MW of capacity.
This overall portfolio is divided into two primary categories:
- Operating Projects: There are 193 operating projects currently serving the Queensland grid.
- Pipeline Projects: There are 515 projects currently in the development, construction, or commissioning phases.
To keep pace with this rapid development, the market monitors constant status changes. In a recent three-month period, Queensland recorded 35 major project updates. These updates track crucial development application activity, EPBC approvals, battery approvals, new project submissions, and projects that are abandoned or assets being decommissioned. For instance, recent updates include an EPBC approval published, a new project added, a wind development application submitted, a project abandoned, and a battery development application approved.
Major Operating Assets: Coal vs. Renewables
Historically, Queensland has relied heavily on black coal for baseload power generation. The largest operating projects currently tracked in the state by capacity highlight this legacy:
- Gladstone Power Station: 1,680 MW operating capacity (Coal - Black, owned by NRG Energy and Rio Tinto).
- Stanwell Power Station: 1,460 MW operating capacity (Coal - Black, owned by Stanwell Corporation).
- Tarong Power Station: 1,400 MW operating capacity (Coal - Black, owned by Stanwell Corporation).
- Millmerran Power Station: 852 MW operating capacity (Coal - Black, owned by InterGen).
- Callide C Power Station: 848 MW operating capacity (Coal - Black, owned by CS Energy and IG Power).
While coal-fired power stations dominate the top of the operating capacity list, the state is progressively retiring coal assets and expanding its renewable capacity. The largest operating renewable energy project in Queensland is the Wivenhoe Power Station, which provides 570 MW of capacity.
The Development Pipeline: Wind, Solar, and Battery Storage
The future of Queensland's energy grid is reflected in the 515 projects currently in the pipeline. These developments span a variety of technologies, including solar PV, onshore wind, and battery energy storage. Key projects currently under construction or in development include:
- RAPAD Power Grid: At 4,200 MW, this Solar PV project is currently in the development stage and stands as the largest planned renewable project in Queensland.
- Bungaban Wind Farm: A massive 1,400 MW onshore wind project in the development stage, approved under developers Windlab and Squadron Energy.
- Theodore Wind Farm: An onshore wind project in the development stage with an approved capacity of 1,152 MW, developed by RWE Renewables.
- Grahams Battery: A large-scale battery storage project in the development stage, representing 1,050 MW of capacity under developer AMPYR, currently in the assessment phase.
- Smoky Creek (Guthrie's Gap) Solar Project: A 600 MW solar PV project currently under construction by developer Edify Energy, which has received development application approval.
- Lower Wonga Solar Farm: A 380 MW solar PV project currently under construction by developer SolarQ, with approved development applications.
Key Developers Driving the Transition
The rollout of these infrastructure assets is led by a mix of government-owned corporations and private renewable energy developers. According to RenewMap's project count tracking, the top developers active in Queensland's transition include:
- Energy Queensland: Leading with 32 active projects.
- Edify Energy: Actively managing 20 projects, including the 600 MW Smoky Creek Solar Project currently under construction.
- Windlab: Managing 15 projects, including the development of the 1,400 MW Bungaban Wind Farm.
As these developers progress their pipelines from early development to construction and operation, the state continues its shift toward the clean energy goals of the future.
Key Takeaways
- Massive Pipeline: Queensland has 515 projects in the pipeline and 193 operating projects, totaling 708 active projects representing 206,494 MW.
- Transitioning from Coal: Traditional coal assets like Gladstone (1,680 MW) and Stanwell (1,460 MW) currently dominate operating capacity, while Wivenhoe (570 MW) is the largest operating renewable project.
- Mega-Scale Projects: The RAPAD Power Grid (4,200 MW solar PV) is the largest planned renewable project in the state, alongside major wind projects like Bungaban (1,400 MW) and Theodore (1,152 MW).
- Top Developers: Energy Queensland (32 projects), Edify Energy (20 projects), and Windlab (15 projects) are leading the state's clean energy construction and development pipeline.
