CopperString 2.0 gets transmission authority nod

Underneath view of an enormous transmission tower (energy prices down)
Image: Shutterstock

Queensland’s Electricity Regulator has approved an electricity Transmission Authority for CuString Pty Ltd, the proponents of the proposed CopperString 2.0 Project, a high-voltage transmission network that will connect the people and communities of Mount Isa and the North West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid near Townsville.

CuString managing director Joseph O’Brien said the approval was a major project milestone and a huge achievement for a local Townsville business. 

“This Transmission Authority authorises CuString to operate a transmission grid in Queensland, including the connection of the transmission grid to another transmission network, to mines, industrial facilities and power stations,’’ Mr O’Brien said.

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“This backbone infrastructure will power North and North West Queensland’s staggering economic potential which is linked to electrification and decarbonisation of the world’s economy. 

“The unstoppable energy transition underway across the globe plays right into the hands of North and North West Queensland because of our immense mineral and clean energy resources, and our existing capability to produce and export these commodities.

“In an electrified world, Northern Queensland has the sort of opportunity that Texas had in an oil-powered world 150 years ago,” he said.

“The Transmission Authority is a key milestone for CopperString, however, it is not the final approval and the CopperString team is continuing to work with State and Federal governments, major minerals businesses, clean energy projects, and the Northern Queensland community to prepare the project for construction,” he said.

CopperString 2.0 is a high-voltage transmission network that will connect the people and communities of Mount Isa and the North West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid near Townsville.

It will supply electricity to existing customers in North West Queensland and deliver opportunities for new mines, manufacturing, industrial facilities, renewable energy projects and large agricultural projects.

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CopperString 2.0 is supported by a wide range of community, political and business stakeholders from Townsville to Mount Isa, in Brisbane and right down south to Canberra, all of whom will be an integral part of the approvals, development and construction process.

The project has an estimated construction cost of $1.7 billion. It will create around 750 new full time jobs during construction and approximately 30 operational and maintenance jobs ongoing. 

The flow-on economic benefits and wealth generation for local communities between Townsville and Mount Isa are expected to be significant once CopperString is operational out to 2050, including sustaining more than 3,000 jobs, $40.8 billion (7 per cent real discount rate) increase in Queensland Gross State Product and $6.7 billion in additional royalties and taxes.

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