Priority transmission investments

New, high-voltage backbone transmission will be vital to Queensland’s energy transformation to ensure power is moved to where and when it is needed across the state.

The Priority Transmission Investment (PTI) framework allows Queensland to identify, assess, build and fund critical backbone transmission infrastructure at the scale and pace outlined in the Queensland SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint.

The PTI framework is established in the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024, which was passed by Parliament in April 2024.

Eligible projects for the PTI framework

To be eligible for the PTI framework, projects must form part of Queensland’s optimal infrastructure pathway, which is outlined in the Queensland SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint.

Projects must be significant electricity infrastructure investments that support Queensland to achieve 3 optimal infrastructure pathway objectives:

• achievement of the renewable energy targets
• provision of a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity to Queensland consumers
• long-term minimisation of the cost of electricity for Queensland consumers.

Process for PTI projects

The PTI framework is made up of 4 stages:

• Identification
• Assessment
• Construction
• Cost recovery

Identification

Projects that are prescribed as ‘eligible PTI’ may progress through the PTI framework. To be eligible, a project must be identified as being part of Queensland’s optimal infrastructure pathway and prescribed in regulation.

Assessment

Once a project has been declared a ‘candidate PTI’, the responsible Ministers may direct Powerlink to assess it.

This assessment is based on the national cost benefit analysis for transmission, the Regulatory Investment Test-Transmission, with appropriate and minimal modifications permitted to make it fit-for-purpose for Queensland’s needs.

Construction

Following the assessment stage, the responsible Ministers decide whether to declare the project a PTI and accordingly direct Powerlink to build it.

The project will be delivered in line with its need-date on Queensland’s optimal infrastructure pathway.

Cost recovery

The PTI framework enables the responsible Ministers to direct Powerlink to recover its costs, through its revenue determination process, in the manner determined by the responsible Ministers.

Current PTI projects

The list of eligible PTI projects is prescribed in the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Regulation 2024.

The Queensland SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint (2022) identifies 5 critical transmission projects:

• Stage 1 – Borumba connections
• Stage 2 – Central Queensland connection
• Stage 3 – Pioneer Burdekin PHES* and NQ connection
• Stage 4 – Townsville to Hughenden connection
• Stage 5 – Gladstone Project

*Note: The Queensland Government is discontinuing the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project in stage 3. Queensland Hydro is contacting landholders and relevant stakeholders.

Additional projects may be prescribed in the Regulation over time.

Powerlink also keeps an up-to-date list of PTI projects at each stage of the PTI process.