QRC backs PNG power plant potential

Australian Broadcasting Coporation


The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says there are still many hurdles to face before an overseas hydro-electricity plant can be connected to the state's north. Yesterday, Premier Anna Bligh signed a memorandum of cooperation with Papua New Guinea (PNG) delegates to begin investigations into a proposed underwater connection to a renewable energy source.

Origin Energy is planning to bring the power to Australia within a decade via an undersea cable and transmission line to Weipa, providing a large supply to electricity to the Cape and the far north.
The State Government is hoping the multi-billion dollar project in PNG could eventually link back into the national electricity grid in Townsville in the north.

QRC chief executive Michael Roche says the growth of Queensland's industries relies heavily on guaranteed energy into the future. "We obviously need to overcome any of the economic, technical and other challenges but I think a lot of people will take comfort that there's a long-term future of the minerals processing in the north of the state," he said. Mr Roche says the region's current energy needs are almost at full capacity.

"We know for example that from the latest information out of the national regulator, that Queensland will be rubbing up against its comfort levels for energy, as early as 2013-14," he said.

Far-fetched' proposal

Ms Bligh said yesterday the project could see a green energy grid established across far north Queensland.
But Queensland Conservation Council spokesman Toby Hutcheon says he thinks it is a far-fetched proposal that will not get off the ground. "It seems very similar to the PNG gas scheme that's been going around for 25 years," he said. "It's too far away, it's going to be too expensive and there are a whole range of questions around hydro electricity development in PNG. It would be far better for the Queensland Government to put its money and its investment in Queensland." He says the State Government should be looking at local renewable energy projects. "In reality the Queensland Government should be looking at investment in Queensland to create Queensland jobs for Queensland industries and homes," he said.
"Queensland's got a perfectly great resource in renewable energy and that's where we should be putting all our investment."

Northern opportunities


Economist Bill Cummings says the proposed hydro-power project could open up significant opportunities in the far north's resources sector. Mr Cummings says it could see the establishment of minerals processing on the Cape. "One of the major benefits that is likely to accrue is to get cheap power into the peninsula and particularly Weipa, where there are massive deposits of bauxite, which could conceivably be turned right through to alumina and aluminium," he said. Meanwhile, Mount Isa Mayor John Molony says the project has the potential to open up industries in the state's north-west region.

"If power can be produced in sufficient quantity in Papua New Guinea, transported across the Torres Strait and down through industrial and commercial and domestic areas in north Queensland - I see it as a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the national grid in north Queensland," he said.

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2010 at 5:15 AM

    Can someone explain is this the same project that Francis Awesa is planning on doing by piping water to Australia? I saw it somewhere on the news in PNG that he was planning on doing that with an Australian company.

    ReplyDelete

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