A proposed $1 billion overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line is one step closer to becoming a reality, with Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General declaring CuString Pty Ltd’s CopperString Project a coordinated project.
“The proponent will now have to prepare a comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project, which could create up to 400 full-time jobs during its three-and-a-half year construction phase and up to 30 full-time jobs once fully operational.
“The proponent has stated the project will provide reliable electricity to communities and mines in the area, as well offering an alternative electricity supply to the North West,” Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said.
The Coordinator-General will commence drafting terms of reference for the EIS that CuString will deliver and present to the community for feedback.
The CopperString Project is comprised of a 1,100-kilometre 275 kilovolt high-voltage transmission line that will connect the North West Mineral Provence and Mount Isa to the National Electricity Market located south of Townsville.
Construction on the first stage of the project - subject to approvals - is expected to commence by the end of 2020 and it will involve putting up a 720-kilometre overhead high-voltage electricity transmission line that will run from Woodstock to the Chumvale Substation near Cloncurry.
According to Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke, the new high-voltage electricity transmission line will pass through the areas of Townsville, Burdekin, Charters Towers, Flinders, Richmond, McKinlay, Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
“This is great news for local job creation and economic development in our region,” Ms O’Rourke said.
Once construction is completed, the entire North West region of Queensland will benefit from the new transmission line. Initial commissioning of the project is anticipated for 2022.
“The flow on effects of a project this size would see more jobs and investment opportunity for the entire region, with potential industrial manufacturing in the larger centres, as well as the potential benefits of more economical power supply,” Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said.
Subject to demand, CuString has also proposed to extend the transmission line from the Chumvale Substation to Mount Isa and south towards the Phosphate Hill Power Station and Cannington Mine by 2024.
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Source: Queensland Government; Renew Economy; Inside Construction; The North West Star