$5bn CopperString project marks new milestones prior to construction

Queensland’s massive $5 billion CopperString 2032 project has reached new milestones as it progresses towards the beginning of construction in 2024. 

Through the recent State Budget, the project will receive a $1 billion funding allocation from coal royalties, with approximately $594 million to be committed to begin construction. 

“It’s great to see CopperString powering ahead with this important announcement,” Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said. 

“It will open up so many opportunities for new good jobs in energy, mining and construction now and into the future,” Mundingburra MP Les Walker said. 

A $20 million early works contract has also been awarded to CIMIC Group companies UGL and CPB Contractors. The scope of works under this new contract will include detailed engineering design, field surveys, geotechnical surveys and geotechnical works. 

This contract award follows the signing of an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) agreement with the joint venture in 2021. 

“We are pleased to further strengthen our involvement with CopperString and to support the Queensland Government to deliver the important infrastructure that will form the Queensland SuperGrid electricity system, and the economic and employment benefits it will bring to communities. 

“We recognise the importance of engaging with the local community including traditional owners and look forwarf to creating opportunities for local people and companies who can contribute to the supply chain for this project,” CIMIC Group Chairman Juan Santamaria said. 

The UGL and CPB Contractors Joint Venture has been named as the preferred contractor to undertake the delivery of the project, overseeing the design, construction and commissioning of seven new substations as well as the high-voltage transmission line. 

The design and construct contract is expected to be awarded later this year, which will cover the delivery of a 500-kilovolt transmission line from Townsville to Hughenden and associated works. 

“UGL, and our JV partner and sister company CPB Contractors, have long supported the design and development of the CopperString 2032 project including early works and site field investigations,” ULG Managing Director Doug Moss said. 

“The CPB Contractors and UGL joint venture brings together some of the most experienced civil infrastructure, transmission line and substation delivery experts in Australia to provide a reliable foundation for power supply to existing and future industries from Townsville through to Mount Isa,” CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said. 

Project map (source: Powerlink)

CopperString 2032 will initially deliver about 1,100 kilometres of a new high-voltage transmission line from just south of Townsville to Mount Isa, connecting the North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market. 

The expanded scope of the project will include: 

• 500 kilovolts (kV) transmission line from just south of Townsville to Hughenden 
• 330KV transmission line from Hughenden to Cloncurry 
• 220kV transmission line from Cloncurry to Mount Isa 
• Up to six new substation sites 

With early works now under way and major construction scheduled to begin in 2024, CopperString 2032 is anticipated to be completed and operational by 2029. 

“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. 

“With Joint Venture partners UGL and CPB Contractors now on-board, we will be fast-tracking work on the 500kV transmission line from Townsville to Hughenden as well as associated works to progress the project towards construction commencing in 2024,” Townsville MP and Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said. 

The funding and contract award announcements align with the opening of Vecco Group’s $26 million Townsville Vanadium Batter Manufacturing Facility that received support through the Queensland Jobs Fund. 

The new facility will produce electrolyte to be used in the manufacture of vanadium batteries, which is an emerging battery technology that will support the global transition to renewable energy. Vanadium batteries are known to last longer – up to 20 years – compared to lithium-ion batteries and have lower rates of degradation and are almost fully recyclable. 

“The Queensland Government has shown great foresight in its commitment to supporting the vanadium industry and it is fantastic to see this supply chain plan being implemented through the government-owned corporations such as EQL,” Vecco Group Managing Director Tom Northcott said. 

“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,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said. 

In line with the funding commitment for CopperString 2032, Energy Queensland has signed a deal with Vecco Group and Sumitomo Electric to trial a vanadium battery in South-East Queensland. This trial will pave the way for the use of vanadium batteries in the Queensland SuperGrid. 

In addition, Energy Queensland and Vecco Group will be working together to assess the benefits and technical considerations for the connecting of more vanadium batteries to the electricity network. 

“I want to see vanadium mined in Queensland, processed in Queensland, and made into vanadium batteries here in Queensland. 

“This is just the beginning of the manufacturing and mining jobs boom that our investment in CopperString 2032 delivers for North Queensland. 

“Queensland has unique deposits of many of the minerals needed for the global energy transformation, along with the best mining and manufacturing workforce,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; CIMIC Group; Powerlink (1, 2); Utility Magazine