Queensland Commits $2.4 Billion to CopperString Transmission Megaproject

CopperString 

Budget surge accelerates infrastructure linking mineral-rich North West to National Electricity Market

Steel and transformer procurement to drive material demand through 2025-26

The Queensland Government has committed a record AU$2.4 billion in its 2025–26 State Budget to advance the CopperString 2032 project. This critical energy infrastructure will connect the North West Minerals Province to Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) for the first time.

CopperString, led by Powerlink, involves constructing 840 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines from Mount Isa to near Townsville. The funding nearly doubles last year’s AU$1.4 billion allocation, highlighting the project’s strategic value for powering future mining and renewable energy projects.

In 2025–26, construction will begin at the AU$225 million Hughenden Hub, designed to connect future renewable energy sources to the NEM. Procurement of key materials—including transmission towers, steel lines, and large-scale transformers—will ramp up, offering new demand channels for steelmakers and scrap metal processors across Australia.

Powerlink will also develop site accommodation along the Eastern Link and oversee major supply chain activities. Ground was first broken in July 2024, with the full 840-kilometer line set for completion by 2029 and energisation by 2031.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki emphasized that this investment brings "certainty" to miners, regional communities, and industry stakeholders. The North West Minerals Province is a globally significant source of copper, zinc, and critical minerals vital for battery and clean energy technologies.

ScrapInsight Editorial Commentary

CopperString 2032 is more than a transmission project—it’s a catalyst for reshaping Australia’s mining and energy future. For scrap metal dealers and manufacturers, demand for tower steel, aluminum cable, and transformer components will likely surge through the decade. This project reinforces the tight link between energy infrastructure and circular metals supply chains.