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Queensland Extends Coal Power, Defying Climate Targets
10 Oct
Summary
- Queensland to keep state-owned coal plants running until 2046
- Renewable energy targets repealed, putting climate goals at risk
- Experts warn of expensive, unreliable energy and climate damage
On October 10, 2025, the Queensland government revealed an "energy roadmap" that will keep the state's state-owned coal plants running until at least 2046, defying previous plans to phase them out by 2035. This abrupt shift means coal will remain a significant part of Queensland's energy mix for decades to come.
The decision has drawn criticism from energy analysts and conservationists, who warn that the extended use of coal will damage the climate and burden Queenslanders with expensive and unreliable energy. The state's renewable energy targets, including an 80% target for 2035, will also be repealed as part of the new roadmap.
Despite the government's claims that the plan will address the state's "energy generation challenge," experts argue that the roadmap is a step backward in the fight against climate change. The state is already Australia's highest emitter, accounting for around 28% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, with one-third of those coming from electricity generation.
The federal government has expressed disappointment with the announcement, stating that it will make "strong federal action" on climate change "more important, not less." As Queensland continues to rely on aging and unreliable coal plants, the pressure on national climate targets is expected to increase.
