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 Far 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 Far North Queensland, the peak electricity demand is forecast to grow at a rate of 3.7% 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 Mulgrave Warren Pitt said people who live and work in the far 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 Pitt said.

Other Powerlink network development projects underway in the Far North include:

·Replacement of the aged 132kV transmission line between Kareeya and Innisfail with a new 132kV line between Tully and Innisfail;

·Replacement of the aged transmission line between Innisfail and Edmonton;

·Construction of 132kV El Arish Substation to support the Mission Beach area; and

·Installation of a capacitor bank at the Edmonton 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.