- Official opening of the Palaszczuk Government's first Queensland SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub in Gladstone.
- This facility will allow for energy workers each year to be upskilled.
- The facility will supercharge delivery of the energy transformation outlined in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
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.
The first Queensland SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub 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.
The hub has been set-up in the Central Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (QREZ) and is well-located to assist with delivering a number of regional future transmission projects.
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.
Quotes attributable to Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher:
"We are delighted to have Queensland's first hub located in Gladstone, which will provide a significant boost for local employment and training opportunities – with more than 90 jobs expected to be based at the facility over the next 10 years.
"This investment demonstrates the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to providing tangible and practical job opportunities for our local people – including apprentices – as we gear up to expand the skills and resources available to deliver the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
"This is an exciting time for Central Queensland as we cultivate new employment pathways for our local people at this state-of-the-art facility."
Quotes attributable to the Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister, Mick de Brenni:
"Our 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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Gladstone Region Mayor, Cr Matt Burnett:
"We welcome the opening of the new hub as it brings more industry to Gladstone's doorstep and provides our community with a variety of new employment and training opportunities in an evolving sector.
"The hub is a clear sign that the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will deliver a strong and stable future for Central Queensland."
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Energy, Lance McCallum:
"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.
"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."
Fast facts:
- Establish the first Queensland SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub in Gladstone.
- The hub provides 'a home away from home' to Powerlink teams and industry partners working on energy projects in the region.
- Over 90 jobs are expected to be based at the training hub over the next 10 years. 500 energy workers each year will be upskilled in a range of areas, including high voltage technical training.
