State government buys CopperString 2.0 project

A renewable energy project offering 800 direct jobs and thousands more in minerals mining, manufacturing and construction renewables is set to power North Queensland’s future with a major new grid to be connected in the next six years.

The CopperString Project is a 1,000 kilometre high-voltage overhead electricity transmission line

The state’s newest transmission line is set to be bought out by the state government, with the North West expected to be connected to the grid in the next six years.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will today announce the government’s plan to acquire CopperString 2.0, a 1100km transmission line that is designed to connect Mount Isa – and the communities in between – to the grid in Townsville.

$500m from coal royalties will be pumped into the $5bn project, which will initially connect Hughenden to Townsville, and unlock the potential of a number of renewable projects west of Townsville.

The project is expected to unlock $500bn in new critical minerals in North Queensland.

CopperString 2.0, which was developed by CuString, will become a publicly owned business, with Powerlink leading the work on the project.

Early works will start this year, with construction to begin in 2024. The project is expected to be complete by 2029.

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.

Construction is expected to support 800 direct jobs over six years, and thousands of new jobs in critical minerals mining, manufacturing and construction renewables.

The Premier said CopperString was the most significant investment in economic infrastructure in North Queensland in generations.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart at Bohle TAFE. Picture: Evan Morgan

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 section between Townsville and Hughenden is proposed to be 500kV, which will help support the renewable energy potential in that region.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at Bohle TAFE. Picture: Evan Morgan

It is proposed to be 330kV from Hughenden to Cloncurry and 220kV from Cloncurry to Mount Isa.

“Townsville will become a renewable manufacturing epicentre between the world and the largest renewable energy zone in the nation and the world class North West Minerals Province,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Joseph O’Brien, Director, CuString Pty Ltd with John O’Brien, Founder and Chairman, CuString Pty Ltd. Photo Steve Pohlner

“CopperString ensures that Mount Isa will continue to be the heart of the North West Minerals

Province.

“CopperString and the Townsville critical minerals demonstration plant will act as a magnet for investment into North Queensland during the clean energy industrial revolution and that means good secure mining and manufacturing jobs for Queenslanders.”

The government first announced it would build a transmission line from Townsville to Hughenden as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

While it was suggested at the time that the government was buying CopperString out, this is the first time it has been confirmed.

The plan includes 70 per cent of Queensland’s energy supply coming from renewables by 2032, and 80 per cent by 2035.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said the plan details that the state would own 100 per cent of the transmission assets.

“This announcement delivers on that commitment,” he said.

“And we can only deliver on this commitment because at least $500m of the cost is being delivered through our new progressive coal royalty tiers.”

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said building the transmission line opened up 6000mw of potential renewable energy from the region.

He said this would contribute to decarbonising the resource sector from Townsville to Mount Isa.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the region had vast reserves of critical minerals like copper, zinc, vanadium and cobalt that the world was demanding to procure batteries and renewable energy as part of a decarbonisation plan.

“CopperString 2.0 will help create opportunities for resources companies to develop critical

minerals projects and the broader North West Minerals Province,” Mr Stewart said.

“This announcement is bigger than just Townsville and North Queensland, it’s a Eureka moment for the whole world.”

Originally published as State government buys CopperString 2.0 project