Queensland’s premier hailed the CopperString project as the most transformative initiative for the north of the state since the 19th-century arrival of the steam locomotive.
The $5 billion transmission project aims to bolster Queensland’s renewable energy efforts, with an 840-kilometre high-voltage line connecting Townsville to Mount Isa. Scheduled for completion by 2029, the project will supply renewable energy to mining operations in the North West Minerals Province, home to mining deposits worth $500 billion.
Described as a visionary endeavor by Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, the project is expected to unlock abundant renewable resources and critical minerals, facilitating the transition to net zero emissions.
Construction on the project’s accommodation site, which could accommodate up to 550 individuals, will kick off first, slated for completion by early 2025. Subsequent phases will involve the construction of a nearby substation and early-stage work before focusing on the high-voltage transmission line in mid-2025.
Queensland has already achieved its 2030 emissions reduction target of 30 percent. In a further commitment to environmental goals, the state Labor government passed legislation in April 2024 aiming for a 75 percent emission reduction by 2035.
$26 Billion Renewable Investment
The launch of the CopperString project follows closely on the heels of Queensland’s announcement of a $26 billion investment in renewable projects over four years, part of the 2024-25 budget. Premier Steven Miles heralded this as the largest investment in publicly-owned renewable energy assets in Australia, citing the imperative to meet emission targets in the face of potential job losses and economic repercussions.
With bipartisan support for Queensland’s renewable initiatives, the state is poised to make significant strides in its clean energy transition.
Monica O’Shea contributed to this article.
