Stanwell is the state's largest electricity generator and Australia’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter.

This includes the gas-fired Swanbank E Power Station and the three Far North Queensland hydro facilities (Kareeya, Barron Gorge and Koombooloomba).

Following a review by the Treasurer of Queensland of the state's electricity sector in 2010, Tarong Energy became a wholly owned subsidiary of Stanwell Corporation on 1 July 2011.

[4] The Mackay Gas Turbine was decommissioned in April 2021 and no longer supplies grid power to the National Electricity Market (NEM).

[5] In 2016, management at Stanwell was criticised for receiving bonuses when a company they charged with tailings disposal for their assets had not paid its debts.