Energy in Queensland

Queensland's fast-growing population, economy and powerful industrial base demand an increasing supply of energy in all parts of the state.

Energy in various forms powers the state's electricity generation, manufacturing, transport and mining industries, commercial sectors and Queensland's homes. More people, more airconditioners, more industry and development across the state means Queensland's energy needs will continue to rise.

The energy industry in Queensland is robust and technically advanced. It is well-placed to meet these increasing demands, with enough generating capacity to meet demand even under extreme weather conditions and still have spare generating capacity available.

The Queensland Government is planning now for future energy challenges, investing in new energy infrastructure development, making better use of existing infrastructure, and developing more efficient and cleaner techonologies and diverse energy sources.

Resources fuel our energy needs

Queensland is a world powerhouse in coal production. Coal and other fossil fuels such as petroleum products and natural gas make up 98 per cent of the State's energy usage. The State's vast reserves of coal ensure many years of cheap energy production.

While continuing to develop Queensland's traditional energy sources, the Queensland Government is researching, developing and promoting alternative energy sources to ensure the level of greenhouse gas emissions is minimised.

The Government has established a Centre for Low Emission Technology to research and develop technologies lowering greenhouse gas emissions from coal-based power generation, coal gasification and carbon dioxide capture and storage.

The State Government has also played a key role in supporting the developing gas industry, implementing the Queensland Gas Scheme. The Scheme currently requires electricity retailers to source 13 per cent of their electricity sales from gas-fired generation. The mandatory gas-fired electricity generation target for the Queensland Gas Scheme will be extended to 15 per cent in 2010, creating the power to allow further increases up to 18 per cent from then on. The associated development of new gas fields and infrastructure has boosted the gas industry (in particulare coal seam gas), and increased supply for electricity generation and other uses.

Renewable sources of energy account for approximately 3 per cent of the state's energy usage. Bagasse, a waste from sugar cane processing, is by far the major renewable energy source, but wood and wood wastes, hydro electricity, wind and solar power are also helping Queensland meet the challenge of reducing its impact on the environment.

Delivering energy to Queenslanders

Queensland Mines and Energy encourages new investment in the state and develops policies and regulation to ensure continued delivery of competitively priced and reliable energy to all Queenslanders.

Queenslanders receive their energy through a mix of private and government-owned organisations that own and operate energy generation plants and transmission and distribution networks across the State.