North Queensland’s Copperstring 2.0 has a vital role in the renewable energy race

New South Wales may lead in the renewable energy race, but Queensland, with its renown for come-from-behind State of Origin victories, is still in the hunt to claim victory. It all depends on one key project getting underway this year.

NEW South Wales may lead in the renewable energy race, but Queensland, with its renown for come-from-behind State of Origin victories, is still in the hunt to claim the win.

The Clean Energy Council has reported Queensland had 19.6 per cent renewable energy penetration compared to 26 per cent in New South Wales, and 12,582 gigawatt hours (GWh) were generated in Queensland compared to 17,829GWh in NSW last year.

Claudia Brumme-Smith, John O'Brien and Jenny Hill talk up the benefits of the planned CopperString transmission line project at a media conference in Townsville.

Riding high after a North Queensland-led Origin win, Townsville Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Claudia Brumme-Smith said NQ’s renewables pipeline could give our state the edge in the interstate challenge to create more jobs, attract more investment and deliver more affordable energy through a wave of renewable energy projects.

“NSW may have a lead, but Queensland can emerge victorious once again,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

“Key investments including the CopperString connection to the national electricity grid (the National Electricity Market) are essential for the security, affordability and sustainability that is under so much pressure now.”

Map of the CopperString 2.0 plan. Picture: CopperString 2.0 website

Estimated to cost $2.5 billion, the CopperString transmission network would connect North West Queensland and the national grid near Townsville, delivering an average of 395MW.

With the CopperString project shovel ready, Ms Brumme-Smith said construction needed to get underway this year to help the Queensland Government meet and beat its 2030 target of 50 per cent renewable energy.

“North and North West Queensland has the ingredients for a stronger, more resilient economy. There is almost $50 billion in renewable energy project investment identified across the region over the next 20 years,” she said.

“We have more than 35,000 megawatts of wind and solar resources to be harnessed above ground and more than $700 billion of identified reserves of copper and critical minerals needed for advanced manufacturing and clean energy under it.

“While the NSW Government has recognised the importance of new transmission infrastructure, the investment in transmission infrastructure in the North West can connect more renewable energy and connect it sooner.”

She said the state and federal governments recognised the importance of renewable energy and critical minerals, and the potential for hydrogen as a new job-creating, revenue-generating industry for Queensland.

CopperString proponent, CuString planned to commence construction in late 2022.

They await final approvals from the state and federal governments.

CuString director Joseph O’Brien and chairman John O’Brien are putting together the biggest powerline in Queensland's history. Photo-Steve Pohlner

Originally published as North Queensland’s Copperstring 2.0 has a vital role in the renewable energy race