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 west 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 South West Queensland, the peak electricity demand is forecast to grow at a rate of 3.3 per cent per year over the next ten years, driven by industrial developments and 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 Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine said people who live and work in the south west 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 Shine said.

Powerlink has a number of projects currently under way in the South West, including:

·Connection of the new Darling Downs Power Station to the transmission grid,

·Connection of the Braemar (Stage 2) Power Station to the grid, and

·Installation of a 275kV capacitor bank at Tarong Substation.

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.