On November 15, 2024, Emily Marschke and I attended #APIMember Powerlink Queensland’s annual Transmission Network Forum.
With over 600 attendees joining in person and online, the event underscored the vital role of Queensland’s transmission network in shaping the future of energy both locally and nationally. The forum showcased key industry updates and engaged participants in insightful discussions, reflecting Powerlink’s commitment to collaboration, transparency, and innovation.
State of the Network: Insights and Innovations
Powerlink CEO Paul Simshauser’s State of the Network presentation offered a comprehensive overview of the energy transition from 2020 to 2024 and a roadmap for 2025 to 2029. Key highlights included:
Optimising batteries within Renewable Energy Zones (REZs).
Enhancing community engagement and trust.
Innovations in Queensland’s transmission backbone to provide greater value to customers.
Merryn York of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) complemented this with a national perspective, emphasising the challenges of balancing peak and minimum demand, decarbonising the grid, and achieving Net Zero targets through strategic stakeholder engagement and investment.
Decarbonising Central Queensland
Daniel Andersen, Powerlink’s General Manager of Energy Markets, highlighted Central Queensland’s critical role in the energy transition. He detailed:
Rising electricity demand from industrial electrification and hydrogen production.
The strategic development of REZs to replace retiring coal-fired generation.
Updates on Powerlink’s Gladstone Project, the first under the Priority Transmission Investment (PTI) Framework.
A panel discussion, moderated by Jacqui Bridge, brought together industry leaders to discuss key transition challenges, including energy demand uncertainties, environmental approvals, and community engagement. Panelists reinforced the importance of collaboration, early investment, and tailored engagement to build social license and support Queensland’s energy goals.
Interactive Stakeholder Feedback
Interactive discussions provided a platform for stakeholders to shape Powerlink’s planning priorities. Key feedback included:
The importance of transparency in infrastructure planning and timing.
Early community investment to build trust and understanding.
Coordinated approaches to mitigate cumulative impacts of multiple projects.
A preference for proactive investment in transmission infrastructure to stay ahead of demand.
Closing the Forum
The event concluded with remarks from Powerlink Board Chair Kathy Hirschfeld AM, who acknowledged the record-breaking attendance and thanked participants for their valuable contributions to Queensland’s energy future.
Reflections from the API
Attending this forum allowed Emily and me to connect with industry leaders, gain insights into cutting-edge innovations, and engage in meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities in Queensland’s energy transition. These discussions are directly aligned with the API’s mission to develop the power sector workforce for our future.
We thank Powerlink Queensland for hosting such an impactful and collaborative event. The insights gained will help the API continue to focus on developing a skilled and adaptable workforce, ensuring the power sector is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities for Australia's energy future.
Access the full Summary Report for Powerlink Queensland' 2024 Transmission Network Forum here.
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