CopperString 2032: ‘Biggest investment’ in North Queensland, Palaszczuk says

From Townsville to Mount Isa they’re building a line – and Palaszczuk is so sure CopperString will begin this year, she’s even renamed it.

Copperstring 2.0, Queensland’s most significant power network project, will be taken over by the government and beefed up in a move set to double the scheme’s estimated cost.

It’s green lights all the way for CopperString 2.0 and work will begin immediately on the $5bn project after a whirlwind Townsville visit to announce the good news.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is so sure she’ll meet the 2032 operation deadline, she’s even renamed the renewables super-highway to ‘CopperString 2032’.

“It will be completed in 2029, to Hughenden mid-2028,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Early works will start this year and construction will commence next year.”

Handily, the Brisbane Olympics is set for 2032 and Ms Palaszczuk plans to use the world event to sell her NQ transmission line to international investors.

Premier Palaszczuk speaks to a crowd of 300 who bought tickets to attend the Townsville Enterprise event at The Ville.

Right now the state is using a $500m down payment from the coal royalties fund to kickstart their CopperString plans, contracting builders UGL and CPB to begin work on the 1100kms high-impact transmission line.

However, the Opposition, who say its supports the project, has raised questions about the additional cost of the project, with Pat Weir saying it was now significantly more expensive than when it was first announced.

He said even with the extra upgrades between Townsville and Hughenden, the government needed to explain the additional costs.

It’s predicted to be a six-year job, requiring three million man hours to build, 1900 giant steel towers and 75,000 tonnes of cement.

Annastacia Palaszczuk stands with Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith. The premier made the CopperString announcement at a Townsville Enterprise event.

The 100 per cent state-owned line will link the mines of Mount Isa with solar and wind farms along the Flinders Hwy and manufacturing workshops in Townsville.

It’s a critical arm of the ‘super-grid’ being built by the Queensland Government.

It will also be the first main grid line to reach Mount Isa – the outback town currently runs on diesel generators.

“North Queensland will become the economic powerhouse of Northern Australia,” Ms Palaszczuk told a crowd of eager business owners at The Ville.

“This is the biggest investment in this region, ever.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Scott Stewart walk into the event at The Ville on Tuesday.

CopperString will be capable of 500kV from Townsville to Hughenden, 330kV from Hughenden to Cloncurry, and 220kV to Mount Isa.

Spending $5bn in taxpayer money seems like an eye-watering amount, but it’s estimated there is $500bn worth of critical minerals in the North West Minerals Province around Mount Isa alone.

On top of digging rocks, the state has solid plans to hand-build a ‘green’ manufacturing sector along the line, producing everything from hydrogen, to lithium batteries, to solar panels.

John Cole is one such hydrogen producer who’s got plans to build in Townsville.

“To create green hydrogen you need bulk energy,” Mr Cole said.

“Modern investors are looking for announcements like today. This is nation building.”

CopperString co-founder John O’Brien attended the launch at The Ville.

“I’ve been backing this idea for 15 years,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I came to Townsville in 1981 at the request of the energy industry … it’s great to see this today.”

CopperString CEO Joseph W. O'Brien with his father, John O'Brien, who co-founded CopperString.

Mr O’Brien said the best thing about CopperString was how many people supported it.

“All the mayors are behind it. I can’t think of one other project with the amount of community support that CopperString has,” he said.

“People want this.”

Queensland mining shadow minister Pat Weir wasn’t happy about the announcement.

“In 2020, CopperString was priced at $2.5 billion,” Mr Weir said.

“The premier needs to explain why the cost has gone up. It can’t all be the voltage upgrade from Townsville to Hughenden.”

Originally published as CopperString 2032: ‘Biggest investment’ in North Queensland, Palaszczuk says