Our advisory role
We can advise Queensland on building priority transmission investments and assess the costs associated with these projects as part of establishing the Queensland SuperGrid.
In 2024, the Queensland Government gave the AER a role in providing advice to its responsible Ministers about priority transmission investments and renewable energy zones.
The AER can also assess the costs of these transmission projects in certain circumstances. We can do this under the Queensland Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024 (ERTJ Act).
What we do
The Queensland SuperGrid comprises all parts of the electricity system including poles and wires, transmission lines, solar, wind, and pumped hydro energy storage.
It will provide for renewable energy zones and generate renewable energy to deliver the Queensland Government’s renewable energy targets by 2030, 2032 and 2035.
The AER's role is not to decide on the size and scale of these infrastructure projects themselves – that’s for the Queensland Government to work out.
Our role is to provide advice when requested by the Queensland Government on building priority transmission investments. We can also scrutinise the cost of these projects which will be constructed by Powerlink (Queensland’s transmission network service provider). The Queensland Government will direct Powerlink as to how these costs will be recovered.
The ERTJ Act also sets up a framework for identifying, declaring and managing REZs in Queensland.
Powerlink is appointed the REZ delivery body under the legislation so will have responsibility for providing advice to the Queensland Government on proposed REZ, developing management plans, consulting on REZ design and determining access and connection to REZ transmission networks and controlled assets.
The ERTJ Act allows the Queensland Government to seek advice from the AER about specific matters relating to renewable energy zones.
Read the formal agreement about the AER’s functions under the Queensland Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024.
Queensland's priority transmission investment framework
Learn more from the Queensland government
To learn more about priority transmission projects including relevant legislation, visit the Queensland Department of Energy and Climate.
Contact us
For enquiries regarding the AER’s regulatory functions for Queensland please email rez
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (REZ[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au)