Townsville Enterprise congratulates Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today on her announcement about the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and SuperGrid Blueprint and acknowledges the foresight the government has about the emerging energy transition.
The SuperGrid Blueprint indicates that the CopperString project is currently scheduled for commencement in 2033.
Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme-Smith said the announcement of the Queensland SuperGrid and the commitment to the CopperString project was positive, however, urged the Premier to fast-track the project and consider it in its entirety.
“CopperString has been in the pipeline for over a decade and waiting more than another decade will significantly inhibit and crowd out private investment in green energy and will stall our progress towards a net zero processing and manufacturing hub here in Townsville,” said Mrs Brumme-Smith.
“We acknowledge and support the State’s ambition to achieve net zero, but for North Queensland there is no transition without transmission.”
“The Australian Energy Market Operator commissioned a report by Transgrid which found that the North West Queensland Corridor (Townsville to Mount Isa) has the best combined wind and solar outputs in eastern Australia.”
“There are also $740B of untapped critical minerals along this corridor and without the enabling transmission infrastructure these minerals will remain untouched, and we know that they are catalytic for the green energy industrial revolution.”
“We urge the Premier to fast-track CopperString and open up the billions of dollars of private investment and the 33GW of clean, affordable, and reliable energy, which will provide the critical minerals used in electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines.”
“We also acknowledge the State’s commitment of $90M for the two regional transmission and training hubs with one being in Townsville. It is important that we have our next generation ready for the exciting new energy transition.”
