Industry wanting to be part of the proposed 2,000MW North Queensland Clean Energy Hub are encouraged to take part in the Expression of Interest (EOI) process before it closes on Friday 8 September.
Treasurer and Acting Minister for Energy Curtis Pitt said the Palaszczuk Government had allocated $150 million towards the development of strategic electricity transmission infrastructure as part of the North Queensland Clean Energy Hub, subject to a feasibility study.
“North Queensland Clean Energy Hub is a key part of the $386 million Powering North Queensland Plan and part of our plan to unlock a wave of energy projects to power the North Queensland economy and support 5000 jobs,” Mr Pitt said.
“The development of electricity transmission infrastructure in North Queensland will deliver investment and jobs from Cairns and the Tablelands, through the outback and down to Townsville.
"This is about securing additional energy supply to drive down energy costs for consumers.
“We encourage all companies with an interest in the North Queensland Clean Energy Hub to flag their potential involvement and provide us with the latest market information via the EOI process.”
Mr Pitt said Powerlink was conducting the EOI on behalf of the Queensland Government.
“Powerlink will consider a range of market aspects including potential generation interest, storage options and significant load requirements,” Mr Pitt said.
“Potential project proponents, including renewable generation and storage options, are encouraged to take this opportunity to have their project taken into account in the design of the transmission infrastructure and project timing.
“This is an important project which will drive cost savings by generating economies of scale through multiple generators and loads sharing transmission infrastructure rather than seeking individual network connections.”
Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said the Clean Energy Hub would play a key role in diversifying North Queensland’s energy supply and supporting the 50 per cent by 2030 renewable energy target.
“We know people in the North are really concerned about power prices. An important part in stabilising prices is making sure we invest in local, North Queensland infrastructure,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“Excitingly, the transmission line will support an Energy Hub that will generate North Queensland energy for North Queensland businesses and families.”
The North Queensland Clean Energy Hub is part of the Powering North Queensland plan which includes:
- $150 million reinvestment of Powerlink dividends for the development of strategic transmission infrastructure to support a clean energy hub, with up to 1000 jobs for Powerlink construction of infrastructure, in addition to the approximately 3600 jobs that will be created in the development of the three proposed renewable energy projects along the transmission line;
- $100 million reinvestment of Stanwell dividends to help fund the proposed hydro-electric power station at Burdekin Falls Dam. Subject to feasibility investigations and other dam construction works, project construction will be targeted to commence from 2020, and support up to 200 jobs;
- $100 million equity injection and reinvestment of dividends towards improvement works to ensure that the Burdekin Falls Dam continues to meet design standards, which is estimated to support around 250 jobs, and will support the proposed hydro-electric power station; and
- commissioning a hydro-electric study to assess options for deploying new hydro in the state, including North Queensland.
The feasibility study into the North Queensland Clean Energy Hub is due to be completed and provided to government for consideration by December 2017.