Within the central and south Pacific Ocean is a vast geographical region with the greatest stretch of sea in the world. The continent features the biggest coral reef in the world, called the Great Barrier Reef, and is home to unique wildlife like monotremes. Soon, this continent will see the birth of a new grid, which will comprise 1,000 km of lines that will put an end to gas and petrol. This is extremely wonderful news for the major part of the continent’s economy, especially regarding its stockpiles and energy security.

The continent that will be seeing a great change in its power

A continent that comprises vast stretches of sea and thousands of islands has primarily relied on importing petrol and gas due to the decline in domestic crude oil generation and insufficiency to meet demands. According to Cruise Hive, the continent’s existing infrastructure, such as transportation and power generation, is heavily dependent on petrol and gas.

Its reliance on the international supply chains for refined petroleum production is thus of utmost importance. According to PFTAC, the reliance on these imports has the following disadvantages for its economy, especially the island nations:

  • Increased inflation and cost of living
  • Straining foreign reserves
  • Energy supply chain instability
  • Economic growth, trade balances, and government budget instability

This is why the continent will be getting a new grid with the hopes of addressing all these economic disadvantages and possibly giving birth to more sustainable power in the future.

The birth of a new grid and sustainable power

A project called CopperString will be integrating a new grid into the continent, Oceania. According to Ministeria Media Statements, the purpose of the CopperString project is primarily to:

  • Enable new industries
  • Power the region’s critical minerals
  • Power the region’s green hydrogen potential
  • Integrate large-scale renewable energy sources

The latter could be useful for the continent, considering Australia’s unveiling of the ‘mother of all energy plants.’ The project will be managed by a partnership between Powerlink and the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). Nearly 1,000 kilometres of high-voltage overhead electricity transmission lines will connect the North West Minerals Province to the national power market.

According to the Queensland Government’s official website, CopperString has the following key features:

  • up to six new substation sites
  • ancillary infrastructure, such as worker accommodation camps
  • 220kV transmission line from Cloncurry to Mount Isa
  • 330kV transmission line from Hughenden to Cloncurry
  • 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from just south of Townsville to Hughenden

Benefits of the project that go beyond power supply

Powerlink has highlighted its commitment to transparency in the project progress and operations for landholders, local communities, and other stakeholders where the infrastructure is being developed. The project also has a community legacy investment approach that will benefit communities.

Sustainable communities

Supporting community resilience, social capacity, and the environment by:

  • Supporting communities facing vulnerable circumstances
  • Creating a positive legacy
  • Protecting the environment

Economic Development

Focusing on areas of local purchasing, skills and training, and employment by:

  • Assisting in economic development
  • Building resilience
  • Supporting locals facing vulnerable circumstances
  • Creating a positive legacy
  • Investing in skills development in local communities
  • Growing their regions
  • Supporting job opportunity growth

The CopperString project has the potential to open new doors to numerous renewable opportunities for Oceania, especially Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, as fossil fuels could potentially become less of an interest. As the power demands continue to rise across the globe, the project will surely help Oceania to secure a stronger socio-economic stance and energy security, especially as China and the U.S. continue to wage a silent war that undoubtedly has started to affect the rest of the world.