An audit of how the Department of Energy and Public Works is managing Queensland’s planned transition to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, has found it does not publish a clear definition on how the target is calculated.
Auditor-General, Brendan Worrall said in order to meet the target, 50 per cent of all energy consumed in Queensland must come from renewable sources, such as sunlight, wind and water, by 2030.
“The Department is responsible for managing Queensland’s energy policy,” Mr Worrall said.
“We examined its management of the transition to renewable energy,” he said.
“The Department reports on the growth in renewables, but does not publish a clear definition on how the target is calculated.”
Mr Worrall said the Department was in the process of developing a new 10-year energy plan.
“Beyond its 50 per cent target, the Department has not yet set out its ambitions for the energy system,” he said.
“While Queensland’s total energy demand is forecast to remain stable this decade, Government policy and investor demand for decarbonisation may offset the impact of lower prices.
“Queensland is also competing with other States for renewable energy investment.”
Mr Worrall said the Department would need to actively monitor and manage these areas.
The Audit made a number of recommendations, urging an improvement in the Department’s public reporting, including the publication of an interim review by 2025 to formally assess its progress towards the 2030 target.
The Auditor-General’s 31-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
