Energy Roadmap outlines delivery plans for CopperString

The Eastern Link from Hughenden to Townsville will be completed by 2032 with on-the-ground work to start soon at the Flinders Substation. In addition, work will begin on the Western Link with a new $200 million North West Energy Fund to support bespoke solution exploration.

A Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) review into the CopperString transmission project has already identified $2.1 billion in savings including reverting the Eastern Link line from Hughenden to Townsville to its original scope of 330KV.

The Queensland Government has also announced:

• QIC will oversee the delivery of CopperString, ensuring it delivers value for money and supports the region
• the Eastern Link from Hughenden to Townsville will be completed by 2032, with construction on track for 2028, pending Federal Government approvals
• early works to start soon on the $225 million Flinders Substation
• work on the Western Link to begin with a $200 million North West Energy Fund to support bespoke solution exploration at Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond.

Hughenden will remain the heart of CopperString with QIC’s review affirming the government’s decision to start work on the Eastern Link first to connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM) sooner.

The project will also be supported by an expanded $50 million community benefits fund for priority water and sewerage infrastructure, road maintenance and other council-led initiatives.

CopperString will provide affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to the state’s North and North West and deliver jobs and economic growth to industry and regions.

The 2025-26 State Budget includes a record $2.4 billion for the project, an increase of $1.4 billion on last year’s Budget.

The Energy Roadmap is focused on improving Queensland’s current energy assets, while building the ones it needs in the future.

Read the Energy Roadmap.