CopperString 2032 receives $1.3b investment from Queensland Government

The Queensland Government has announced a $1.3b package to progress work on CopperString 2032.

CopperString 2032 is a $5b, 1100km transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa that will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid.

It includes an increased transmission capacity of 500kV (from 330kV) for the section of line between Townsville and Hughenden for renewable energy for that region.

It will connect vast renewable wind and solar resources with critical minerals in mining and processing that can be used to make batteries and renewables.

The $1.3b funding will get CopperString ready for construction to begin mid-2024, a significant milestone towards unlocking the North West Minerals Province and North Queensland’s renewable energy potential.

The package will enable energy corporation Powerlink — alongside construction partners UGL and CPB — to undertake detailed design and engineering and environmental assessments.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says this is a significant step forward for the project.

“CopperString 2032 is the largest ever economic development project in North Queensland and the largest expansion to the power grid in Australia,” she said.

“I am excited about the progress we have made so far in planning and designing this project. This funding allows the project to move into construction phase.”