The Gladstone Grid Reinforcement is a proposed upgrade to the existing transmission network in Gladstone, Queensland. The proposed scope of the project includes:
- Construction of a 275-kilovolt (kV) high-capacity line between Calvale and Caliope River
- upgrading existing 275-kV lines between Calliope River and Larcom Creek, and Larcom Creek and Bouldercombe, and
- construction of a new 275/132-kV transformer at Calliope River
The proposed changes would add an additional 2.6 gigawatts of network capacity to the NEM.
Key Dates
| Mar 2029 | Expected Construction Completion |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Powerlink |
PROJECT HISTORY
| 2022 | For the 2022 ISP, Powerlink provided preparatory activities report for reinforcements of Central Queensland and Gladstone Grid section as it was identified as a Future ISP project. |
| Sep 2022 | The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan outlined upgrades to transmission infrastructure in the Central QREZ Region. |
| Dec 2023 | The project was allocated Actionable Project status in the draft 2024 Integrated Systems Plan (ISP). The project is expected to be at full capacity by September 2029. The estimated cost of all components of the transmission project was listed as $1.3 billion (±50 per cent). The draft ISP noted the project is likely to be an actionable Queensland project rather than an actionable ISP project, as it may progress under the proposed framework to be established by the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 rather than the ISP framework. |
| Jun 2024 | The 2024 Integrated System Plan confirmed the project's total estimated cost as $1.3 billion and provided an updated timeline, with the project expected to be completed by March 2029. |
| Jan 2025 | Expressions of Interest opened for 54 packages to deliver early works for the project, closing 30 April. |
| Mar 2025 | The project was included in the Federal Government's inaugural Renewable Energy Priority List. The Priority List aims to provide coordinated support through Federal, state and territory regulatory and environmental approval processes on a case-by-case basis and provide a 'faster to yes, faster to no' approach to regulatory approvals. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2023)
Sector
Energy
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
Queensland |
Resources
