The first contract involved scoping, designing, site investigations, pricing and finalising the engineering, procurement and construction contract for substations and high voltage transmission lines that will connect Mount Isa’s isolated electricity supply network into the National Electricity Market (NEM) at Woodstock, just south of Townsville. CopperString will also provide connection options through the NEM for mines and industrial customers in the North West Minerals Province, and regional wind and solar resources, and potentially hydrogen production facilities along the corridor from Townsville to Mount Isa.

The following early works package will cover detailed engineering design, field surveys, geotechnical surveys and geotechnical works.

The UGL and CPB Contractors JV is the preferred contractor for the delivery phase of the project, which will oversee design, construction and commissioning of seven new substations and a high voltage transmission line between Townsville and Mt Isa. The design and construct contract is expected to be executed later this year and will include an expanded 500 kilovolt transmission line from Townsville to Hughenden, plus associated works.