CopperString kicks on with $20m works package

A $20 million early works package for engineering and geotechnical work on the CopperString 2032 project has been awarded to CIMIC Group companies UGL and CPB Contractors. Resources Minister Scott Stewart. Townsville MP and Resources Minister Scott Stewart said that, with UGL and CPB Contractors now on board, work on the 500kV transmission line from Townsville to Hughenden would be fast-tracked, along with associated works to progress the project towards construction commencing in 2024. The $5 billion CopperString 2032 transmission project was set to unlock the full power of the North, Mr Stewart said. “About 800 jobs will be supported through project construction, and when completed the new transmission line significantly increases opportunities to connect high quality renewable resources to our region’s industries," he said. CIMIC Group executive chairman Juan Santamaria said UGL and CPB Contractors were pleased to support the Queensland Government to deliver the infrastructure that will form the Queensland SuperGrid electricity system. “We have a track record of high-voltage power projects in some of Australia’s remote regions, having installed more than 6500km of transmission lines across the country," he said. The group was currently delivering, with Powerlink, the 275kV electricity transmission line and associated switching station to connect Genex's renewable energy generation project at Kidston, Mr Santamaria said. The CopperString announcement was made in the lead up to the official opening of Vecco Group’s $26 million Townsville Vanadium Battery Manufacturing Facility, which received support through the Queensland Jobs Fund.Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said maximising local manufacturing and supply chains was an important feature of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. About 36,000 local jobs were forecast to be created in industries supporting the development of the Queensland SuperGrid, he said. “CopperString 2032 will be connected to the Queensland SuperGrid, the nation’s largest energy grid, meaning that wherever energy is generated–we can capture it, send it, store it, and use it wherever it is needed. “As CopperString 2032 progresses we’re also set to see a number of high quality renewables resources become available in the Hughenden region – a region that has the potential to become Australia’s largest Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). “The Palaszczuk Government is also committed to maximising local supply chain opportunities by leveraging our Buy Queensland procurement policy to bring component manufacturing for the Queensland SuperGrid, to regional Queensland.”

CopperString kicks on with $20m works package

Industry Queensland

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