‘Dozens’ of $5bn CopperStrings needed for net zero, environmental researcher Dr Chris Greig says

The $5bn CopperString project would need to be copied dozens of times over for Australia to reach net zero emissions, a leading U.S. environmental researcher says. See why.

Australia needs dozens of CopperString projects to reach net zero emissions, a leading U.S. environmental researcher says.

Princeton University senior research scientist Dr Chris Greig, originally from Giru in North Queensland, spoke about Australia’s transition to a net zero emissions economy in Townsville on Thursday.

CopperString is the $5bn energy network that will connect Mount Isa and northwest Queensland mines to the national power grid using wind and solar energies. The project will span from Townsville and Mount Isa and provide smaller mines with a better electricity supply.

Dr Greig told an audience in Townsville on Thursday that it was unlikely that Australia would reach its target of net zero by 2050.

“We’re going to need a lot of CopperStrings in net zero Australia. So it’s great (the project), it’s the beginning,” Dr Greig said.

Princeton University senior research scientist Dr Chris Greig spoke about Australia’s transition to a net zero emissions economy in Townsville on Thursday. Picture: Blair Jackson

How many more?

“Dozens,” he said.

“We’ve got to learn how to build infrastructure at a scale and speed that is unprecedented. We just simply haven’t done it.

CopperString 2.0, will be a 1100km high-voltage power line to connect the resource-rich North West Minerals Province to the national grid via Hughenden and Townsville.

“We haven’t done this at this scale and speed anywhere in the world. It’s a challenge for every country to do that,” Dr Greig said.

Australia needed a $7bn to $9bn capital investment to reach net zero, he said.

Dr Greig was the co-principal investigator in a landmark 2021 report ‘Net Zero America. Potential Pathways, Infrastructure and Impacts’.

That report set out five pathways for the U.S. to get to net-zero by 2050.

“Look at net zero Australia, look at net zero America. It’s a massive undertaking, right? This is going to take previously unimagined infrastructure to be able to deliver this and we have to get our head around that,” Dr Greig said.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said more than 150 countries have committed to net zero by 2050, including almost all major economies and the majority of Australia’s trading partners. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

The Australian government has set a target to cut Australia’s emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, with a goal of reaching net-zero by 2050.

Dr Greig believes it is “inevitable” that the world will get to net zero emissions, but the world was moving towards it at about a quarter of the speed required.

Net zero by 2100 was plausible but it had to happen sooner than that, he said.

Speaking about North Queensland industries specifically, Dr Greig said a potential ethanol fuel industry could play a transitory role in the interim, but would not be a solution in the long run.

Australia’s total greenhouse gas missions in the year to March 2022 were 21.6 per cent below emissions in the year to June 2005 (the baseline year for Australia’s 2030 target under the Paris Agreement). Picture: Dave Hunt/AAP

Prime farming land would not be greatly affected by net zero targets because renewable assets would be built further west, he said.

Northern Queensland’s vast deposits of critical minerals used in solar panels and batteries will be key to net zero, but more of the products made from the minerals needed to be built onshore, Dr Greig said.

Asked about Dr Greig’s “dozens of CopperStrings” comment, State Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the government recognised the project’s potential to unlock critical mineral mines.

“To hear that we were going to need more well, we’re up for the challenge and that’s why we’re investing in CopperString 2032. Let’s make the rubber hit the road,” he said.

One of the latest climate alarm bells to ring in Australia was a Grattan Institute report last month, urging governments to ban new gas connections to homes, shops and small businesses.

That report warned the five million Australian households still using gas needed to switch to electric if the country “is to have any hope” of reaching net zero by 2050.

Originally published as ‘Dozens’ of $5bn CopperStrings needed for net zero, environmental researcher Dr Chris Greig says