Major projects to meet future demand for power

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today that Powerlink Queensland had major projects underway to meet the growing need for power in south east Queensland.

Minister Wilson said the Bligh Government was looking beyond the horizon to where and when essential electricity infrastructure was needed.

“We’re the fastest growing state in the National Electricity Market,” Mr Wilson said.

“Powerlink’s forecasts show that in the South East corner, the peak electricity demand is forecast to grow at a rate of 4.1% per year over the next ten years, driven by sustained population growth and the continued uptake and use of air conditioning.”

Mr Wilson said to meet the demand, generation capacity across Queensland’s transmission network would be boosted with a further 1,568 megawatts by 2010. The current total generation capacity is about 11,350 megawatts.

Mr Wilson said people who live and work in the south east would benefit from a boost to the region’s generating capacity.

“They will be the beneficiaries of a more secure and reliable electricity network. This is about planning for and managing growth,” Mr Wilson said.

Powerlink has a number of other projects currently under way in South East Queensland, including:

• Construction of a new 275kV transmission line between South Pine and Sandgate;
• Construction of a new 275kV substation at Abermain;
• Installation of an additional transformer at Powerlink’s Murarrie Substation and installation and upgrades to equipment at a number of other substations including the Palmwoods, Greenbank and South Pine substations.

Powerlink is also planning and undertaking public consultation on other new transmission line projects in the region as part of its longer term planning process to ensure the ongoing security and reliability of electricity supply.

Media inquiries: Minister’s office 3224 7332.