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 Central 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 Central Queensland, the peak electricity demand is forecast to grow at a rate of 2% 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 Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said people who live and work in Central Queensland 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 Schwarten said.

Powerlink network development projects that are scheduled to start in the coming year in Central Queensland include the:

·Construction of a new 132kV transmission line between Bouldercombe and Pandoin (near Rockhampton), and

·Construction of the new Pandoin 132kV Substation (near Rockhampton).

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.