Queensland wind farm pipeline faces construction delays
The state holds half the nation's proposed onshore wind capacity, but projects take about three years on average to complete.
Queensland has Australia's longest average completion time for onshore wind projects, at about three years, despite a development pipeline that could lift its turbine count from 543 to 1,383.
The Clean Energy Council's latest report puts Queensland's share of proposed national onshore wind capacity at half. Projects worth A$5.8 billion have obtained the funding they need or begun construction.
The state has 10 wind farms operating, with another 17 projects approved or being built. Grattan Institute energy and climate change senior fellow Tony Wood said community concerns, uncertain policy, delays in transmission development and rising construction costs were slowing progress.
The Crisafulli government has introduced planning requirements for wind and solar developers to assess social impacts and reach community benefit agreements. It also used call-in powers to cancel the Moonlight Range and Forest Wind projects, which together had the potential to supply about 760,000 homes.
Wood said the government's removal of renewable energy targets, without a clear explanation of its position on renewables, had left investors seeking direction.
Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said the government welcomed private investment in new generation. He said its Energy Roadmap combined longer use of coal, more gas and private investment in renewable energy.
Queensland Renewable Energy Council chief executive Katie-Anne Mulder said developers needed to consult communities and earn their trust. She also warned that uncertainty could cost Queensland billions of dollars in private investment, citing a survey in which 82 per cent of respondents said the Energy Roadmap needed improvement to give greater certainty.
