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Powerlink selected as Queensland REZ delivery authority

Posted on by darion

As the REZ Implementing Authority, Powerlink will provide feedback to the Queensland Government on the REZ Action Plan, advise on REZ declarations and develop draft and final REZ Management Plans for REZ declarations.

The Queensland REZ Roadmap was released in March 2024 and identified 12 REZ sites that aim to add around 22GW of renewable energy capacity by 2035. An REZ is an area designated by state governments that aims to connect multi-gigawatts of renewable energy, such as solar PV and wind, to the grid more efficiently.

Queensland has so far identified 12 such areas, but the action plan could identify potential additional REZs, depending on investor interest and future domestic and industrial energy demand.

The government said local communities – including landowners, local stakeholders, farmers and councils – would be at the heart of how renewables are implemented across the 12 zones in the coming years. Local REZ Reference Groups will be set up this year to gather feedback from communities.

In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Powerlink Queensland said it looked forward to “working with landowners, the community, local government and industry to maximise the benefits for all Queenslanders”.

The Queensland REZs have been divided into three sub-regions: Southern Queensland, Central Queensland and North and Far North Queensland. The roadmap has identified three potential REZ sites that are currently under development: Southern Downs REZ, Western Downs REZ and Far North Queensland REZ.

Work at these locations is planned in accordance with applicable national electricity regulations, but these projects may later be designated as Special Economic Zones (REZ).

Due to existing coal-fired power stations and large electrical loads, the first official REZ site is planned to be in Central Queensland. The Callide REZ is planned to include between 2 GW and 2.6 GW of renewable energy capacity; Central Queensland already has nine solar PV plants and 48 renewable energy projects in the pipeline.