COPPERSTRING

CopperString will be delivered in two sections:

Eastern Link: just under 350km of 330kV transmission line from Reid River near Townsville to Hughenden, including new substation sites and workforce accommodation facilities along the alignment. When completed (subject to approvals), the Eastern Link is expected to provide 1.7GW transfer capacity and 2.9GW hosting capacity to meet projected demand.

Western Link: a $200 million North West Energy Fund will support local renewable energy generation, batteries and microgrids to improve regional energy reliability for communities such as Richmond, Julia Creek, Cloncurry and Mount Isa while options to deliver the Western Link are developed.

A new QIC-managed entity will ultimately develop, deliver, own, operate and maintain the CopperString assets. During the ownership transition, Powerlink continues to progress the Eastern Link (Townsville to Hughenden), including securing easements, planning and environmental approvals and early works such as the Hughenden Workforce Accommodation Facility and Flinders Substation.

CopperString is committed to open, fair and transparent procurement and to maximising opportunities for local, regional and Indigenous businesses to participate in the supply chain. This includes delivery of a free Supplier Capability Development Program for businesses along the CopperString corridor.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Since March 2023, Powerlink has undertaken an enormous amount of work to progress the project to its current state and is now working collaboratively with QIC to enable ongoing project delivery.

Work has included detailed design, advancing project approvals, securing critical electrical equipment, and enhancing overall construction readiness. Sections of the transmission line design have also been modified to address constructability challenges at both ends of the project corridor.

In July 2024, the CopperString project team officially broke ground on the Hughenden Workforce Accommodation Facility (WAF). The WAF is expected to be operational later this year to initially support workforce requirements for preliminary works at the Hughenden Hub.

On-the-ground works will commence at the $225 million Flinders Substation in 2025-26 (subject to approvals). This will feed new energy generation across the Flinders Shire into the Eastern Link of CopperString, connecting to the NEM.

The Eastern Link will be completed by 2032, subject to planning and environmental approvals required for construction commencement being finalised by 2028.

SUPPLIERS

The project is committed to providing genuine opportunities for industry participation and maximising the benefits that can be delivered through ethically, environmentally and socially responsible procurement.

There will be opportunities to supply goods and services to CopperString. You can register your interest by:

• filling out an online form to be added to the CopperString supplier register (preferred method)
• contacting Powerlink via copperstring@powerlink.com.au or 1800 635 369
• registering and creating a business profile on Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway

Having an up-to-date capability statement is an important part of registering your interest in providing goods and/or services to CopperString as it helps Powerlink to understand your business and what you can offer.

FURTHER ASSISTANCE

Powerlink strongly encourage local industry to contact the ICN Queensland in the first instance to improve their understanding of the EOI process.

Powerlink primary contact is:

Sam Scandlyn

Local Economic Participation Specialist

Email address: copperstring@powerlink.com.au