Construction begins on $5 billion transmission line to open up wind, solar and minerals

Construction has begun on one of Australia’s biggest energy grid expansions to power up a mineral-rich region in the north.

The $5 billion CopperString project will connect Queensland’s northwest to the grid through an 840km power line running from south of Townsville to Mount Isa.

Set to be finished by 2029, CopperString has been described as the region’s “most transformative project since steam locomotives” in the 19th century.

The project is set to provide more affordable power to companies mining deposits valued at $500 billion in the North West Minerals Province.

“This is a visionary project that will change Queensland forever,” Deputy Premier Cameron Dick told reporters on Tuesday.

The project will help unlock the province’s copper, zinc, lead, silver and phosphate needed to make smartphones and renewable energy parts.

It is part of the Queensland government’s push toward renewable energy and reducing emissions.

The Labor state government has tabled legislation committing Queensland to a 75 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035.

Goals of a 30 per cent reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050 remain.

“This is the most transformative project for the north of our state since the arrival of the steam locomotive in the 19th century,” Mr Dick said.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles joined Mr Dick and Energy Minister Mick de Brenni to officially launch construction at Hughenden, west of Townsville on Tuesday.

“This is the largest addition to the national electricity grid since we connected the state of Tasmania nearly 20 years ago,” Mr de Brenni said.

Work has begun on the project’s largest workforce accommodation site that will house up to 550 people, set to be completed by early 2025.

Those workers will build a nearby substation and progress early stages of the line from Hughenden to Mount Isa.

Work on the CopperString high-voltage transmission line is due to start in mid-2025.

AAP