Falling power bills contingent on no delays to renewables, industry warns

Energy bills are forecast to fall $151 for regional Queenslanders, according to a new determination from the competition authority, but renewable industry figures warn a drop in household bills could be jeopardised by delays to large-scale clean projects.

The Queensland Competition Authority flagged bill decreases of 6.9 per cent for homes in the next financial year and 8.1 per cent for typical small businesses ($212) due to comparatively smoother running of coal generators, lower gas prices and more batteries and renewables coming on to the grid.

The forecast comes after the Australian Energy Regulator cut default prices across eastern seaboard from July 1, with the most significant drop coming in south-east Queensland – 7 per cent ($155).

Friday’s final determination from the competition authority assumes the delivery of generation and storage projects in modelling from consultancy firm ACIL Allen.

Among near-term projects to provide additional generation to the market, it lists the 750MW Herries Range Wind Farm in south-east Queensland to begin exporting energy in the second half of this year.

That project is in the advanced development stage, but it does not have final development approval after being forced to comply with the LNP state government’s social impact assessment requirements.

Since coming into power in late 2024, the government overhauled approval processes to give communities greater power to contest large-scale projects.

As part of a shift in energy policy, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has paused and reviewed a number of projects across the state. In August, the government scrapped plans for the Forest Wind project proposed to power about half-a-million homes.

The renewable energy industry says they support the increased demands to consult communities before building major projects in their backyards.

But Katie-Anne Mulder, the Queensland Renewable Energy Council chief executive, noted in a submission to the competition authority the price reductions are contingent on the delivery of near-term generation and storage.

“Delivering that future, and securing the associated price reductions, requires governments at all levels, working with proponents, suppliers and stakeholders, to ensure that projects can move from commitment to operation without unnecessary delay,” she wrote in the submission, seen by this masthead.

Energy Minister David Janetzki said the state was committed to investing in grid transition, citing the latest quarterly report from the Clean Energy Council showing there were 25 current renewable projects financia