The rollout of renewable energy is facing significant delays as nearly 90 major wind and solar projects remain stuck in the federal environmental approval system. Although there is a national goal to reach 82% renewable electricity by 2030, only one project in three states has completed the process since 2023. This has increased concerns about meeting climate targets and securing future energy supply.
The backlog has caused mounting frustration within both government and industry. Labor and business groups are urging swift reform of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The current framework, seen as inefficient and overly complex, has hindered the approval of critical energy infrastructure during Australia's drive to shift away from fossil fuels. At the same time, negotiations with opposition parties on legislative amendments have reached a key phase.
Data shows 89 renewable energy projects in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland have required federal assessment in recent years, including 26 in 2023, 44 in 2024 and 19 expected in 2025. So far, only one project, the Pottinger Wind Farm in NSW, has gained full approval. This is a deterioration from earlier reports that identified 76 stalled projects, further revealing the disconnect between policy goals and the regulatory process.
Although early parts of the application procedure have seen slight improvements, delays continue, especially where state-level assessments add further challenges. Over half of the 2025 projects are based in NSW, where developers have faced some of the country's longest waiting times. One wind farm waited nearly five years, or close to 2,000 days, for a decision. More than two-thirds of surveyed renewable energy companies said NSW approval systems caused more issues than federal regulations.
If the legislative deadlock remains, Australia's clean energy goals are increasingly at risk. The government says it is committed to phasing out coal power and cutting emissions by 43% by 2030. However, ongoing backlogs and slow legal reform could jeopardise those plans. Businesses have also warned of rising energy prices and continued pressure on supply, making the need for streamlined approval systems more pressing than ever.
