The Queensland government has launched a tender seeking private sector proposals to deliver 400 megawatts of new gas-fired generation capacity in Central Queensland, marking a significant step in the state’s broader Energy Roadmap strategy.
The tender process, to be managed by Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), will draw on private sector expertise to secure dispatchable energy supply by 2032.
The initiative is designed to strengthen system reliability and support the industrial growth needs of Central Queensland, a region that plays a critical role in the state’s economic output.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said the tender reflected the government’s commitment to building the right mix of energy infrastructure for a growing state.
He said Labor’s former energy plan lacked credibility and was undeliverable, while the current Energy Roadmap is focused on improving existing capacity and building what is needed for the future, including attracting private investment in new assets.
Janetzki said the government was opening the door to private sector investment because Queenslanders expect action on building the infrastructure a growing state requires, while respecting taxpayer funds and easing pressure on the balance sheet.
The move comes in response to power prices that increased 19.9 per cent in a single year, placing significant pressure on households and businesses across the state.
The Queensland government’s Energy Roadmap is aimed at putting downward pressure on those prices through investment in coal and gas generation to safeguard domestic energy security and support industry across the state.
Queensland is forecast to have up to 4.1 gigawatts of gas-fired generation capacity by 2030, rising to between 6.1 and 8.3 gigawatts by 2035.
The tender process is expected to be finalised by the end of 2026.
