Qld power price stability could cost jobs

Power prices in Queensland are on track to stabilise, but jobs are likely to be sacrificed as a result.

The government has directed state-owned distributors Energex and Ergon not to appeal the Australian Energy Regulator's final five-year price determination, which was handed down on Thursday morning.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says her government's action will have a stabilising effect on power prices and prevent bill shock, following several years of increases.

"No more appeals, no more lawyers," Ms Palaszczuk told parliament.

"We will direct our energy companies to abide by the umpire's decision, and Queenslanders will benefit."

The regulator's ruling will allow the companies to claw back $13 billion from customers over five years, but that's less than the companies had wanted.

As a result, there could be job losses at both Energex and Ergon, but Energy Minister Mark Bailey has promised there will be no forced redundancies.

"They will look at whatever adjustments need to be made, they will work through those issues cooperatively and professionally with the representatives of the workforce," he said on Thursday.

The Electrical Trades Union has called on the government to find savings in Energex and Ergon by cutting from the "bloated bureaucracy" in the managerial ranks of the two distributors.

Opposition energy spokesman Andrew Powell tentatively welcomed the government's move, but said it had come months too late.

He also called on the government not to merge state power firms and to deregulate the sector to reduce price pressure.

"The government can potentially still deliver more savings to the people of Queensland," he said.

"Today is good news, but there is potential for there to be much more better news in coming months."

Queensland Consumers Association president Ian Jarratt welcomed the decision not to appeal, but urged Ergon and Energex to charge less than the allowed maximum revenues set by the regulator.