Antinuclear

Renewable energy plan for North Queensland

The construction phase will see investment of up to $A1.5bn, generating up to 1,000 jobs…….”The Queensland government has stimulated significant activity in renewable-energy projects in the clean-energy corridor, particularly through its investigation of large-scale solar in conjunction with the Clinton [Global] Initiative.

In depth: Australia’s $1.6bn plan to turn the outback green –  Recharge ,by Oliver Wagg,14 June 11 Northern Queensland may become home to one of Australia’s major clean-energy hubs if a proposal to connect the remote mining region to the national grid gets the green light. Renewable-energy companies are queuing up with a slew of proposals after it was announced that the A$1.5bn ($1.6bn) CopperString project is moving towards the final stages of development following agreement with the major industrial energy users in the area.

The project, a joint venture between local development company CuString and infrastructure giant Leighton Contractors, involves building more than 1,000km of transmission line, including a 720km high-voltage link between Townsville and Mount Isa, and an additional 210km of lines and substations to connect remote energy users.

Proponents say that with access to the national grid, clean-energy projects in the area could deliver more than 1GW. CopperString says that the development is expected to kick-start wind, solar and geothermal projects across the so-called Northern Australia Sustainable Resources Corridor. The construction phase will see investment of up to $A1.5bn, generating up to 1,000 jobs…….”The Queensland government has stimulated significant activity in renewable-energy projects in the clean-energy corridor, particularly through its investigation of large-scale solar in conjunction with the Clinton [Global] Initiative. We expect this development investment to grow further as the probability of CopperString proceeding grows,” says O’Brien…

.. As part of a deal with veteran independent Member of Parliament Bob Katter following last year’s election, the minority Labor government committed A$185m of federal cash for the transmission line, A$2m for pre-feasibility works to develop renewables projects along the line and A$350m to construct a large-scale solar generation plant. Katter says the Samsung and Windlab proposals would directly create 3,000 jobs and provide almost 4% of Australia’s electricity demand.  In depth: Australia’s $1.6bn plan to turn the outback green – Finance – Renewable energy news – Recharge – wind, solar, biomass, wave/tidal/hydro and geothermal

June 13, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | energy, Queensland