The government of the Australian state of Queensland has announced that it will acquire 100% of a AUD5bn (US$3.3bn) transmission line project that is designed to integrate up to 6 GW of renewable energy capacity in the state. The CopperString 2.0 transmission link is a 1,100 km overhead transmission project, ranging from 220 kV to 500 kV depending on the sections, planned to link Mount Isa, Cloncurry and the North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Grid near Townsville. The transmission line will help unlock the North Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
The project will connect wind and solar plants with minerals mining and processing, which could potentially be used to manufacture batteries. Early works will start during the course of 2023, while construction is set to begin in 2024. The publicly owned transmission company Powerlink will lead the work on the project, which is expected to be completed by 2029.
In September 2022, Queensland unveiled a AUD62bn (US$40bn) clean energy plan, which intends to convert the state’s coal-fired power plants to renewable hubs by 2035. Queensland would source 70% of its energy needs from renewables by 2032 and 80% by 2035, versus the previous target of 50% by 2030.