The Queensland Government’s 275kV SuperGrid Link, connecting Cairns and Townsville, is advancing forward, with the project expected to reach completion in 2023.
The publicly owned Powerlink project forms part of the State Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, and is backed by $40 million in Queensland Government funding. The project involves upgrading part of the existing 132kV coastal transmission line to permanently operate at 275kV capacity.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said, “This Queensland SuperGrid link between Cairns and Townsville will improve the reliability, security and affordability of energy supply to North Queenslanders, and unlocks up to 500MW of additional renewable energy capacity on this third circuit to the far north.
“It means we can pump more renewables into the Queensland SuperGrid and create more good jobs in our publicly owned energy system for workers in North Queensland.”
The SuperGrid Link also aims to improve grid reliability for North Queenslanders to better manage extreme weather events such as storms and cyclones.
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt, said the State Government’s investment in this project was essential in supporting the $373 million Kaban Green Power Hub.
“That project has supported 250 jobs, and once complete this year will generate enough clean energy to power tens of thousands of homes,” Mr Pitt said.
Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Member for Cairns, Michael Healy, said that more renewable energy in Far North Queensland was good for jobs, good for the economy, and good for the environment.
“Our $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets Cairns on a pathway towards becoming a clean energy powerhouse,” Mr Healy said.
“By 2032 it means 70 per cent of Queensland’s energy supply will be renewable – taking real action on climate change, protecting the reef, and responding to worsening natural disasters.”
The Queensland Government’s plan intends to reduce household and business electricity emissions by 96 per cent by 2040.
Mr de Brenni said the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will create Australia’s largest energy SuperGrid, transporting renewable energy from the regions, powering industry and households.
“The Queensland SuperGrid will be the electricity superhighway that connects our renewable energy to demand up and down the coast,” Mr de Brenni said.
“It means that wherever energy is generated, particularly in North Queensland–we can capture it, send it, or store it where it’s needed most.
“Because Queenslanders know that when it comes to essential services, public ownership is critical–our plan is to honour our commitment to 100 per cent public ownership of our transmission networks,” Mr de Brenni said.
