The Queensland Government intends to leverage infrastructure expertise from the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) to deliver CopperString.
CopperString 2032, led by Powerlink, initially involves building 840km of new electricity transmission line from Mount Isa to near Townsville. The project will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market for the first time in Australian history.
On 8 April, the state government outlined its plans to save the biggest energy project Queensland has seen after revelations it would have cost Queenslanders nearly $14 billion for CopperString and network connections — which is $12 billion more than originally announced by the former Labor Government.
Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki says QIC’s infrastructure delivery capability, coupled with Powerlink’s transmission expertise would mean the project would deliver value for the state.
“We’re cleaning up one of the most disgraceful cases of fiscal vandalism under the former Labor Government and we will deliver CopperString with an expanded early works package that will include a record capital investment,” Janetzki says.
“QIC’s work starts today. It will not only oversee the prioritisation of work on the Eastern Link but begin a full analysis of options to deliver the best economic value for the Western Link.”
Janetzki adds that prioritising the Eastern Link will also allow focus to be placed on connecting renewable generation in the proposed Flinders Renewable Energy Zone.
“Hughenden will remain the heart of CopperString – the Hughenden Hub of the Eastern Link, which will begin construction later this year, pending federal approval, will create 100 jobs,”
“We want to reassure the communities and the businesses in the north and north west of the State we’re committed to saving CopperString.”
The Queensland Government is developing a new energy roadmap that outlines and engineers a credible pathway for the state’s energy future.
Powerlink says CopperString is considered the most significant investment in economic infrastructure in north and northwest Queensland. The project aims to unlock affordable renewable energy and the state’s critical minerals will benefit Townsville, Mount Isa, and all of the towns between.
The project broke ground in July 2024 in Hughenden with the construction of the workforce accommodation and facilities.
CopperString 2032 is on track for completion by 2029, with commissioning and energisation of the transmission line expected by 2031.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Powerlink
