The Palaszczuk Government’s first Gladstone SuperGrid training centre and transmission hub has opened in Queensland. The hub will allow for energy workers each year to be upskilled.
Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said its first Queensland SuperGrid training centre and transmission hub in Central Queensland is now open, driving decent, secure jobs in regional Queensland’s energy transition.
“Building the SuperGrid is key to unlocking 100,000 new jobs in energy generation, green hydrogen, critical minerals mining and battery manufacturing, so everything we see happening in this busy region is essentially driving the clean energy industrial revolution,” he said.
“It’s facilities like these which bring the Queensland energy and jobs plan to life, setting a clear path to deliver the clean, reliable and affordable energy of the future while delivering on our renewable energy targets.”
The facility has been established in Gladstone in the interim while Powerlink finalises the acquisition of a permanent site, with construction expected to commence for the long-term facility in 2024.
Powerlink has officially launched the facility acting as a regional base for training energy workers, improving their skills for a growing workforce and supporting the changing focus in the Gladstone area.
It will supercharge delivery of the energy transformation outlined in the Queensland energy and jobs plan, ad the opening of the hub is a strong catalyst for Powerlink to strengthen its regional presence and will allow for energy workers each year to be upskilled in a range of areas, including high voltage technical training.
“I’m proud to officially open the new Queensland SuperGrid training centre and transmission hub, noting the important role this facility will play in underpinning the energy transformation in Central Queensland,” said Assistant Minister for Energy Lance McCallum.
“I’m also delighted to introduce the first two new Powerlink recruits based at this hub, Gladstone Hub Facilitator David Mallia and Senior Health, Safety and Environment Representative Samantha Austin.”
The hub has been set-up in the Central Queensland Renewable Energy Zone and is well-located to assist with delivering a number of regional future transmission projects.
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