Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 (Qld)

An Act to transform the energy sector in Queensland by facilitating the increased generation of electricity from renewable energy sources and supporting affected workers and communities, and to amend this Act, the Electricity Act 1994, the Electricity—National Scheme (Queensland) Act 1997, the National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Act 2014 and the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 for particular purposes The Parliament of Queensland enacts—

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2023.

2 Commencement This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

3 Main purposes of Act The main purposes of this Act are— (a) to increase the amount of electricity generated in Queensland from renewable energy sources; and (b) to facilitate and support the efficient and coordinated augmentation of the national transmission grid in Queensland to accommodate the increased generation of electricity from renewable energy sources in a safe, secure, reliable and cost-effective way; and (c) to provide for support and advocacy for workers in the energy industry and communities affected by the increased generation of electricity from renewable energy sources.

4 How main purposes are primarily achieved The main purposes of this Act are to be achieved primarily by— (a) setting renewable energy targets for Queensland; and (b) providing for the identification and construction of priority transmission investments; and (c) providing for the declaration of renewable energy zones, the development and operation of transmission networks in renewable energy zones and coordinated and streamlined connection and access to transmission networks in renewable energy zones; and (d) establishing the Job Security Guarantee Fund, including for the purpose of implementing the job security guarantee; and (e) establishing the following entities— (i) the Queensland Energy System Advisory Board; (ii) the Energy Industry Council; (iii) the Queensland Renewable Energy Jobs Advocate.