Early works have commenced on the SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub.
Queensland Minister for Water and Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, joined Powerlink officials onsite to celebrate the milestone.
The state-of-the-art facility will provide critical skills development and apprentice training opportunities to hundreds of workers as the energy transformation rolls out.
Powerlink’s Central Queensland network plays a critical role in securing reliable power supply as heavy industry players electrify their operations to reduce emissions.
Powerlink has commenced work on strengthening the existing transmission grid with several investments, including a new transmission line between Calvale Substation and Calliope River Substation (near Gladstone) that will leverage easements that Powerlink obtained in the 1980s.
Engagement with landholders and local communities is well underway on this new transmission line, which is mostly co-located with existing network infrastructure, reducing social, environmental and economic impacts compared to constructing in a new location.
This work is essential to enable the efficient flow of electricity around the state, ensuring reliable supply to Queenslanders as more renewable energy sources enter the market.
“Gladstone has been an industrial powerhouse for generations and that continues as the renewable transition continues,” Mr Butcher said.
“We are proud that publicly-owned Powerlink is establishing their base in Gladstone.
“Central Queensland has always been a strong pillar of Queensland’s economy and that will be no different as we lead the way to a renewable energy future.
“What this means for Gladstone is more industry, more supply chain opportunities and jobs for the next generation.”
Powerlink COO Gary Edwards, said, “Establishing this base in Central Queensland is exciting for Powerlink as we expand our regional presence.
“This hub will host hundreds of energy workers over its lifespan, who will be responsible for building and connecting Queenslanders to a world-class transmission network.
“Since we established our presence in Central Queensland, we have been expanding our workforce which includes six apprenticeship positions this year alone.
“The next generation of workers will have access to state-of-the-art training facilities right here in Gladstone.
“We are excited for what the future holds in the region.”
Powerlink Executive General Manager of Network and Business Development, Stewart Bell, said as industry looks to reduce emissions and electrify operations, strengthening the network throughout the region is critical.
“Central Queensland has a critical role to play in ensuring reliable supply of electricity to the network well into the future,” Mr Bell said.
“The region is also rich in renewable energy resources which will be an essential part of Queensland’s renewable energy future.”
Queensland Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, said, “To meet our targets, we will we absolutely rely on the Queensland SuperGrid and that workforce will be bred here.
“Building the SuperGrid is key to unlocking 100,000 new jobs in energy generation, green hydrogen, critical minerals mining and battery manufacturing, so everything we see happening in this busy region is essentially driving the clean energy industrial revolution.”
Featured image: Powerlink.
