LINK TO POWER MINES
BIG renewable energy projects could provide the low- cost power to sustain North Queensland’s mining sector if plans for a revised transmission project are realised, proponents say.
CuString Pty Ltd, which proposed a $ 1 billion transmission project in 2008, is back working on a $ 500 million project which would link the rich North West Minerals Province with the State Labor Government’s North Queensland Clean Energy Hub.
The hub will link renewable energy projects at Hughenden and Kidston with Townsville and Cairns, while the CuString project plans to link the Mount Isa system to the hub at Hughenden.
Former Clean Energy Finance Corporation CEO Oliver Yates, who is supporting CuString, said the ability to secure the future of minerals processing in North Queensland by embracing clean energy, shared transmission infrastructure and existing gas- fired generation at Mount Isa was “a highly valuable opportunity”.
CuString founder John O’Brien said people were right to be excited by more than $ 1 billion of investment into clean energy projects in North Queensland but he said the real value would be in translating this investment into benefiting the region’s mining and agricultural sectors where its competitive advantage lay.
“The CuString transmission line is important to maximise the economic value of the proposed North Queensland Clean Energy Hub,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We need to use these lowcost renewables to stimulate growth in our minerals processing and agricultural sectors, including biofuels, right across northern Queensland.”
Mr Yates said he saw CuString and the clean energy hub as important parts of a diversified approach to infrastructure and energy supply.
“The ability to secure the future of minerals processing in North Queensland by embracing clean energy, shared transmission infrastructure and existing gas- fired gener- ation in the west is a highly valuable opportunity,” Mr Yates said.
Mr O’Brien said CuString received strong support from government and industry participants at a recent Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone meeting in Cloncurry.
He said the transmission opportunity had re- emerged TONYT RAGGATT 4722 4439 CHRISTIECHR ANDERSON 4722 4741 because of changes to the energy requirements in the North West Minerals Province, gas market dynamics, the North Queensland Clean Energy Hub initiative, better appreciation of renewable projects in the mid- west and the value of gas generation to the east coast grid.
Flinders Shire Mayor Jane McNamara said big wind, solar and battery storage projects were destined for Hughenden and connection to Mount Isa would benefit the region.
“I really think Mount Isa and the North West need to be connected to the grid,” Cr McNamara said. “In this day and age it’s ridiculous to have that missing link.”