Queensland government breaks ground on $5b CopperString power project
One of Australia’s largest energy developments has achieved a major milestone with the Queensland government breaking ground on the first construction works of its $5 billion CopperString project.
CopperString is an 840-kilometre-long high-voltage transmission line that will connect Mt Isa to the SuperGrid for the first time.
Work on the project is due to commence in mid-2025 and be completed in 2029.
Workforce housing
ATCO Structures has begun construction of CopperString’s first and largest workforce accommodation site, which is due to be completed by early 2025 and will house up to 550 construction workers at its peak.
These workers will construct a nearby substation and progress the early stages of the transmission line development, heading west from Hughenden out to Mt Isa.
Once complete, work will then commence on the eastern portion of the line from Hughenden back to Townsville.
System expansion
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said CopperString will supercharge the state and unlock the $500b North West Minerals Province and Hughenden renewable resources.
“Queenslanders deserve cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy—to power their homes, our schools, hospitals, shopping centres and more,” he said at the ground-breaking ceremony.
“That’s why my government is embarking on the biggest ever expansion of the state’s publicly owned energy system.”
“This is the start of a long and exciting future for the region and our state.”
Equipment purchase
Powerlink Queensland recently announced the purchase of significant equipment critical to the delivery of the project including shunt reactors, transformers and high-voltage power lines.
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said a 100-strong project team has also been established alongside joint venture partners UGL and CPB Contractors, with all detailed design on the transmission corridor well underway.
“CopperString 2032 lies at the heart of Queensland’s economic transformation,” Mr Dick said.
“By connecting the mineral wealth of our state’s north-west to Townsville’s manufacturing precincts and port, we are creating the opportunity for more Queensland minerals to be processed in Queensland, creating skilled jobs in new industries.”
“We are also making it easier for industrial-scale renewable projects right across Queensland’s north to feed into the national grid, helping deliver more affordable, renewable energy.”