Developing a REZ

Every potential renewable energy zone (REZ) that we’ve identified goes through a planning stage and progresses through public consultation before it’s officially declared a REZ and developed.

We’ll work with communities, landholders, First Nations peoples and industry to hear their feedback. This shapes and informs the 4 stages that we progress through to develop a REZ.

How fast a potential REZ moves through each stage depends on Queensland’s energy needs, feedback from the community and interest from investors. We work with Powerlink, who will deliver and manage the REZ, throughout this process.

Not all areas with renewable projects will become a REZ. We focus on areas with the greatest potential for renewable energy development so we can coordinate how we connect electricity generators, such as wind and solar projects, in the most efficient way.

Planning stage

We'll talk to communities, First Nations peoples and key industry representatives to understand their views on developing a REZ and assess how ready the area is for a REZ.

REZ readiness assessments

We'll use a tool called a REZ readiness assessment to help us determine:

the infrastructure that’s needed to support REZ development
how to minimise any impacts from REZ development
how communities can benefit from a REZ
if shared infrastructure could be used to reduce costs
if a potential REZ location is suitable.

We may carry out assessments at a strategic, high level for the entire region or at a detailed, local level for a specific community.

These findings are used to inform the draft management plan developed by Powerlink and will result in initiatives designed to support the readiness of the local community.

Community workshops, drop-in and pop-up sessions

As part of our REZ readiness assessments, we'll invite the community to have their say at different sessions. This feedback helps us determine local needs, concerns and priorities.

Consultation and declaration

Powerlink’s draft REZ management plan is published on both Powerlink’s website and ours for community consultation.
The plan is a technical document that outlines:

key aspects of the proposed REZ, for example the type of renewable energy sources in the REZ
the eligibility process for developers to connect to the REZ
how Powerlink would develop the REZ transmission network
the geographical boundary for the REZ.

When consultation closes, Powerlink updates the draft plan with feedback (if appropriate) and prepares a detailed consultation report.

The draft plan and report inform the Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs in their decision on whether the area should be declared a REZ.

Once the Minister and Treasurer declares a REZ, Powerlink publishes the final REZ management plan on both websites.

Construction and operation

A declared REZ then moves into construction and operation, depending on the development and market readiness of renewable energy projects.

This means that any necessary transmission infrastructure and connecting renewable projects may be built at different times.

The actions identified from the REZ readiness assessments will continue to be implemented to support local communities.

This could include upgrades to local roads, protecting or improving the local environment or supporting local industry.

Commissioned

The REZ is commissioned when the renewable energy projects are:

built
connected to the REZ transmission network
fully operational
generating renewable energy.

We’ll continue to seek feedback from communities and stakeholders on how REZ investment is used and what’s best to support the local community and boost the regional economy.

As a renewable energy project reaches its end of life, we’ll work with communities to decide whether to refurbish or decommission a REZ.

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Related information

Last updated: 14 October 2024