Major developments announced for CopperString Project

The Queensland Government has announced major developments to the CopperString Project, which will deliver reliable and sustainable energy for North and North West Queensland.

Under the State Government’s $200 million North West Energy Fund, Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding for further development of a new battery storage and wind farm along the CopperString corridor. This project is the first to benefit from the Fund.

The proposed renewable energy project is set to be delivered in two stages, consisting of up to 24 wind turbines producing 144MW and backed up by a battery energy storage system. Once up and running, the wind farm will power MMG’s Dugald River Mine as well as feed energy back into the broader North West Power System.

“The long-term operation of the Dugald River Mine is critical to the North West and this is a welcome step forward toward delivering on a plan for more affordable, reliable and sustainable power.

“The Fund is designed to pay forward the benefits of CopperString by investing in localised energy solutions which enable development of economic opportunities now.

“That is what industry participants and communities need in the North West and there are other proposals also under consideration by the Fund,” Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said.

“This endorsement will help support a final investment decision on the first stage of the wind farm, which has the potential to benefit not only Dugald River Mone, but the highly prospective North West Minerals Province as a whole.

“We are targeting 80-plus per cent of our power to be sourced from renewables as we position Dugald River as a mine of the future – one that embraces technology, electrification and long-term investment in the region,” MMG Dugald River General Manager Dr Tim Akroyd said.

Funding will also be provided to carry out enabling infrastructure works between Townsville and Cloncurry to support the development of the CopperString Project.

Approximately $20 million will be spent on critical upgrades to roads and electrical infrastructure within the corridor to support construction activity and the movement of large equipment.

“Building CopperString requires major infrastructure and our roads and other infrastructure will need to be ready to support the scale of work ahead.

“By investing early, we are strengthening local infrastructure, enabling safe movement of heavy equipment while delivering long-term benefits for communities,” Treasurer Janetzki said.

In addition, the Crisafulli Government has awarded the first tender for CopperString to regional Queensland-based company McCosker Contracting to undertake bulk earthworks at the Flinders Substation near Hughenden, which will support early works on the Eastern Link of the CopperString Project. Works are expected to commence soon.

Initially, up to 20 workers will be accommodated at the Hughenden Workers Accommodation Facility.

“The tender award for bulk earthworks at Flinders Substation is the next step in a project that will unlock the region’s mineral wealth, strengthen industry, create jobs and drive economic growth – as well as connecting the region to the National Electricity Market.

“The North West Minerals Province is one of the richest mineral producing regions in the world, potentially holding $100 billion in critical minerals. Further unlocking opportunities will help deliver even more benefit for Queensland’s economy,” Treasurer Janetzki said.

These major developments to the CopperString Project follow the announcement of a record $3.2 billion investment in the 2026-27 State Budget to support its delivery.

CopperString is being delivered in two sections – the Eastern Link and Western Link.

Eastern Link will deliver about 350 kilometres of 330kV transmission line from Reid River near Townsville to Hughenden. This section will also include the identification and construction of substation sites as well as workforce accommodation facilities near the project corridor.

Subject to approvals, this section is expected to be completed in 2032 and it will support projected energy demands over the medium to long term.

On the other hand, the $200 million North West Energy Fund for the Western Link will support local renewable energy generation, battery and microgrids to ensure regional energy reliability is improved for communities including Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

The significant funding will be used to partner with the private sector to invest in flexible firming solutions to help reduce reliance on gas for baseload electricity consumption.

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Industry Queensland; Renew Economy; Powerlink