Galilee Energy has welcomed the Central West Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development (RAPAD) and VisIR partnership which will progress the proposed 930-kilometre electricity transmission line from Hughenden to Bileola.

The RAPAD Board, the Barcaldine Regional Council (BRC) and VisIR have formalised plans for the RAPAD Power Grid development with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The RAPAD Power Grid will comprise of 5.2GW of HVDC transmission technology, and approximately 4,200 megawatts of solar generation.

The initiative is part of the state government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP), which requires 12 gigawatts of wind and an additional 10 gigawatts of solar, but has also recognised the need for 3 gigawatts of firming natural gas capacity.

Galilee Energy is progressing the Glenaras Gas Project in the RAPAD region, north of Longreach.

Galilee Executive Chairman Ray Shorrocks said: “Galilee has worked closely with the Longreach Regional Council and local stakeholders in the development of Glenaras.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with RAPAD, VisIR and other stakeholders to advance the RAPAD Power Grid.

“We believe the RAPAD Power Grid not only complements the government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, but also its $21 million Frontier Gas Exploration Program for the Galilee and Bowen Basins.”

The Glenaras project — located in the Galilee Basin — is one of the largest uncontracted gas resources in eastern Australia with an independently certified 3C Contingent Resource of more than 5,000 petajoules.