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 north 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 north Queensland, the peak electricity demand is forecast to grow at a rate of 4.4% per annum over the next ten years, driven by industrial development and sustained population growth.”

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.

The increase is due to the completion of new gas-fired power stations at Condamine and Braemar (Stage 2) on the Darling Downs, as well as generating plant at the Rio Tinto Aluminium Yarwun near Gladstone, and a third unit at the Mt Stuart Power Station in Townsville.

Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace said people who live and work in the north 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 Wallace said.

Other Powerlink network development projects underway in the north include:

·Construction of the Alligator Creek 132/33kV Substation to support the coal export railway and ports south of Mackay,

·Construction of the new Townsville South to Townsville East 132kV transmission line and the new Townsville East 132kV Substation to support the Townsville CBD and port area, and

·Construction of the new Ross to Yabulu South 275kV transmission line and new Yabulu South 275kV Substation to support load growth in the area north of Townsville.

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.