Analysis

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CopperString 2.0: A look at the numbers

North Queensland attracts its fair share of debate around electricity. Since around 2009 there has been a push to develop a major transmission line – now CopperString 2.0 (CopperString) – to connect Mt Isa to the National Electricity Market. Discussion around the CopperString proposal has come back into focus recently with submissions to the Queensland Government on electricity supply options for the North-West Minerals Province. Here we take a closer look at the CopperString proposal, the project’s background, options moving forward and the costs and benefits.

BY Peter Brook May 12 2022

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Queensland blackout: Should we let the market run?

Following a fire at Callide C Power station on Tuesday 25 May, a series of events resulted in multiple generators disconnecting and 2,300MW of demand being interrupted. This was the most severe event in the NEM since SA's black system of 2016. Like all serious power system incidents, there was a complex chain of issues that will take some time to unpick.

BY Ben Skinner May 27 2021

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Queensland election: Power pledges

Based on the political pundits the election could be close, although recent polls show Labor with its nose in front on a two-party preferred basis (slightly ahead of its 51.2 - 48.8 per cent winning margin from 2017). Labor holds government with a two seat majority and in many key seats the race is very close.

BY Australian Energy Council Oct 29 2020

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Queensland’s new Energy Minister not new to energy issues

Energy policy played a leading role in the recent Queensland election. The returned government led by Annastacia Palazsczuk took a range of proposals to the polls that will mean significant changes in Queensland energy system that will require careful stewardship.

BY Carl Kitchen Dec 15 2017

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The Queensland Poll: Power plays and pledges

The Queensland state election will be held on Saturday. Based on the political pundits it is likely to be close, with One Nation potentially holding the balance of power. Energy policy has been prominent.

BY Carl Kitchen & Duncan MacKinnon Nov 24 2017

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Queensland: Swotting up on coal

With the Queensland election underway, debate about the development of a new coal-fired power station for North Queensland re-emerged this week following a newspaper report on “leaked” analysis on an ultra-supercritical plant for North Queensland.

BY Carl Kitchen Nov 03 2017

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Where do we need a new dispatchable power station?

For the first half of 2017 there has been a campaign for a new coal fired power station to be built in North Queensland. It has been variously suggested that this would both alleviate the high electricity prices in the National Electricity Market and incentivise regional investment and employment.

BY Matthew Warren Jul 20 2017

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Queensland's energy approach becomes clearer

Last week the Queensland Government released its detailed response to the Queensland Productivity Commission’s...

BY Carl Kitchen Dec 08 2016

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What next after Hazelwood closure?

Last week Engie announced it would close the 50 year old Hazelwood Power Station. Engie announced it will close the brown-coal power station and the adjoining mine in five months, at the end of March 2017.

BY Emma Richardson Nov 10 2016

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Queensland RET: Shedding light on the draft report

The Queensland Renewable Energy Expert Panel’s draft report has found that the state has strong potential to grow its renewable energy industry based on falling technology costs, market dynamics and a current pipeline of around 2500MW of new projects in regional Queensland.

BY Emma Richardson Oct 13 2016

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Queensland considering its next moves

Energy policy was a focus in Queensland's last election campaign and with the release of two draft reports from the Queensland Productivity Commission and the appointment of a Renewable Energy Expert Panel, the focus is shifting to the finalisation of policies and implementation phase...

BY Carl Kitchen Apr 07 2016

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Peak demand and the energy mix

The trend of falling demand - driven by increased energy efficiency, reduced industrial demand and the uptake of rooftop solar PV - appears to be flattening out as new factors, such as Queensland’s LNG projects, come into the picture. We take a look at what it means for peak demand and the energy mix...

BY AEC Mar 10 2016