Queensland Premier Bligh trains eye on possible PNG power supply for state grid
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh is set to meet energy stakeholders on Wednesday in Townsville for the proposed hydro-electricity power plant from Papua New Guinea that would supply electricity in the state and on the side, conduct a dialogue with usual nemesis Clive Palmer.
On the road for three straight days now and running the state government out of Brisbane, Ms Bligh is exploring the possibility of the multi-billion dollar initiative that would flow power from an undersea cable in PNG through Weipa, and eventually spreading around the areas of northern Queensland.
The Premier said that she would meet representatives of the energy sectors that include Origin Energy, which is the premier player in the ambitious undertaking, to discuss ways that could possibly lead to the realisation of the project that Ms Bligh described for now as requiring further study to achieve fruition.
The Premier maintained though that once operational, the billion-dollar energy plan is poised to "provide for a very secure increase of electricity into Townsville and not just any old electricity, but entirely renewable electricity, which would make industry here some of the greenest in Australia."
A scheduled dialogue with Mr Palmer was also set for Thursday where the mining magnate is expected to present his Queensland projects before the Premier.
Coming from an out-of-court settlement earlier this year, Ms Bligh and the billionaire businessman appeared to be in a long-running dispute but Mr Palmer admitted that he holds a high level of respect for the Premier, describing her as a hardworking and excellent leader.
He maybe blaming her for Queensland's debacle in losing its AAA credit rating but Mr Palmer conceded that "she's done a lot for Queensland and she cares really I think about ensuring that all Queenslanders have got jobs and that's a good thing."
Mr Palmer said that despite their political differences and conflicts on how the state resources must be utilised, he still regard Ms Bligh as a leader who really cares for Queensland and a hard worker at that.