Queensland buys USD-3.3bn renewable power transmission link

The Queensland government will take control of an AUD-5-billion (USD 3.34bn/EUR 3.13bn) transmission line project that should help integrate up to 6 GW of renewable energy capacity in the Aussie state, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today.

Touted as “the most significant investment in economic infrastructure in North Queensland,” the CopperString 2.0 transmission link will be 100% publicly owned.

The 1,100-kilometre (684-mile) overhead transmission facility is planned to link Mount Isa, Cloncurry and the North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Grid near Townsville, unlocking the North Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Under the plan, it will connect wind and solar resources with critical minerals mining and processing, which could potentially be used for making batteries.

According to the government’s estimates, more than AUD 500 billion in investments in new critical materials will be unlocked in North Queensland thanks to the project.

Queensland's transmission network owner PowerLink will lead the construction. It will initiate early works this year, with construction to be officially launched in 2024. The huge facility will become operational by 2029.

“Unlocking affordable renewable energy and our critical minerals will benefit Townsville, Mount Isa and every town in between – unlocking thousands of jobs and billions in investment,” the premier said.

CopperString has been in development for about 10 years as a private venture by Townsville-based CuString Pty Ltd.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.668/EUR 0.625)

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