The Queensland Renewable Energy Council has welcomed the Queensland Government’s additional investment in CopperString as a strong vote of confidence in the State’s renewable energy future, saying this month’s State Budget should match that commitment with practical measures to accelerate new generation, storage and transmission. Together, these investments can deliver a multi-generational plan for lower-cost electricity for households, small businesses and industry.

QREC Chief Executive Officer Katie-Anne Mulder said CopperString was a critical enabling investment to unlock renewable energy, storage and industrial development across North and North West Queensland.

Treasurer and Energy Minister, the Hon David Janetzki has announced the Queensland Government will commit $420 million in 2026–27, as part of a total $3.2 billion investment to support construction activities for the Eastern Link, as well as enabling works for the Western Link, including through the North West Energy Fund. The Government has said the investment underpins its commitment to ensuring the Eastern Link is completed by 2032.

“The Queensland Government’s Energy Roadmap makes clear that transmission is the backbone of the large-scale renewable energy system needed to power our State’s growth and replace coal-fired generation as it reaches the end of its technical life.

Ms Mulder said recent electricity price decisions by the Queensland Competition Authority and Australian Energy Regulator showed renewable energy and storage were already helping reduce wholesale electricity costs by putting downward pressure on electricity prices for households, small businesses and industry.

Ms Mulder said the Budget, to be delivered on 23 June, should help deliver key commitments in the Energy Roadmap, including:

  • additional large-scale wind and solar projects, consistent with the Roadmap’s outlook of up to 6.8 gigawatts of additional wind and solar by 2030 and a further 4.4 gigawatts by 2035;
  • accelerated storage, including pumped-hydro and batteries; and
  • priority transmission investments and network upgrades required to connect new projects.

Through the Queensland Investment Corporation, the Government is also progressing Roadmap commitments including the Investor Gateway to match renewable energy projects with government-owned corporations, and the North West Energy Fund to support generation and storage around Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond.

“CopperString, the Investor Gateway and the North West Energy Fund should work together to bring forward renewable generation and storage that supports regional communities, industry and the State’s energy future,” Ms Mulder said.

Click here to view the Queensland Government Media Statement