Progress but more needed
I have to agree the Energy Minister is positively reactive [electrical pun] to ARENA's contribution to Kennedy 1(&2), and project (The North West Star Thursday October 20) made all the better given that PV, as well as Wind and Battery Storage are factored in.
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But, as my original letter (Tuesday October 18) points out the the limiting factor is ensuring the power can be exported efficiently, and more so having the infrastructure in timely manner would ensure the initial Kennedy Renewable Energy (RE) projects are not hamstrung.
Big K's size would be huge boon for Hughenden district to contribute a big chunk of 50% renewables target for decades to come and obviously take some strain of the other aspects of network by having more generation available in North Queensland.
For example, Far North and Ross Powerlink zones contributed only 610Gwh to a total load of 4,800 Gwh used which straight up shows plenty of room for MTZ RE projects or existing Mount Isa generation options to fill the void if Copperstring was built.
Keep in mind if the Galilee mine developments happen and CQ Coking Coal Mines ramp up demand as likely with $200/tonne coal prices, that will equate to return of contraints on the amount of power that can transit through North and Central West zones from Stanwell and Callide power stations, which in all respect are just as far from Townsville as Mount Isa, but Kidson and Hughenden RE projects are in the sweet spot with new 275kv links in Ross and FNQ.
As a correction to my original letter Hughenden is currently serviced by shorter 66kv overhead from Charters Towers which from there becomes a couple of 132kv lines back to Ross at Townsville.
A marginally improved circumstance, but still a considerable distance to try and push 50MVA, hence limited scope for exports whilst still maintaining a robust network.
Given the entire Hughenden area would be lucky to consumer 10 MVA on hot summer afternoon, and there is no current boom in gold mining load around Charter Towers, much has to still be on-shifted through to the Ross 275kv sub at Townsville.
I have attached extracts from Powerlink's 2016 Annual report, which replicates much of the now publicly distributed maps showing RE projects around the state, but there are few if any future plans.
Mind you some RE plants will be connected to Ergon distribution assets, and I still look for their information, but Big Kennedy, Kidson are in realm that should be attracting Powerlink planning attention ASAP. There some aging 132kv routes that are getting close to game-over old.
Having by chance last week-end having had a look at the main sub-station at Charters Towers, and cross-checking past bulletins it would appear Ergon has done some new transformer upgrade works 132/66kv, but ultimately, the need for the announced Hughenden Solar/Wind farm would absolutely benefit from a full Copperstring connection, but would be crucial for Big Kennedy.
As for the Lakeland RE project, it is absolutely great idea, as does any such similar project placed at the far extremities of the grid or for that matter stand-alone venues.
For Lakeland and Cooktown it makes absolute sense given the economics of stretching the grid that far north, can only be justified with a minimal single 66/132kv line, and that incurs energy losses, but such losses are are effectively cancelled when the RE plant is generating power locally.
Clearly putting a standalone RE power solution in that location would no doubt be welcomed by residents in that area, and most probably the Ergon network managers and accountants will get some breathing space during future cyclone events.
Hopefully people will accept a few rough edges during transitional change will deliver long term benefit, but the longer we mull over making the leap, well all bets are off from a purely financial perspective.
Trent Deverell
Dysart