QPM Energy (ASX: QPM) has executed a Connection Project Delivery Agreement (CPDA) with Powerlink Queensland to advance its flagship Isaac Power Station toward grid connection.
The CPDA paves the way for Powerlink to begin construction works at its Moranbah substation, a critical step in linking the 112-megawatt Isaac Power Station to the Queensland electricity network.
The execution of this agreement also satisfies a key requirement for completion of the project’s finance facility, positioning QPM Energy to move steadily toward development of one of the region’s significant new generation assets.
Under the new agreement, Powerlink will proceed with connection works ahead of issuing an Offer to Connect under Chapter 5 of the National Electricity Rules.
The CPDA also integrates Powerlink’s standard Generator Connection and Access Agreement, which establishes a 30-year connection term and sets annual connection charges consistent with assumptions made in QPM’s feasibility studies.
The work program outlined in the agreement targets energisation of the power station by no later than 30 June 2027.
Final execution of the Generator Connection and Access Agreement will follow once QPM Energy, Powerlink, and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) reach agreement on technical performance standards, and an Offer to Connect is issued in accordance with regulatory procedures.
QPM Chief Executive Officer David Wrench said the CPDA represents a pivotal achievement for the company and a sign of momentum in developing new generation capacity in Queensland’s resource-focused energy corridor.
“This agreement is a major milestone for QPM and an important step toward development of the Isaac Power Station,” Wrench said.
“The project will deliver flexible generation capacity and provide valuable network support to the Moranbah region.
“We appreciate Powerlink Queensland’s collaborative and timely approach in finalising the CPDA.”
Located in the heart of central Queensland’s resource hub, the Isaac Power Station aims to underpin grid reliability and strengthen electricity supply to an area experiencing growing industrial demand.
The project is being designed as a dispatchable generation facility, providing essential firming capacity to support both renewable integration and the region’s broader transition toward a balanced and secure energy mix.
The partnership with Powerlink marks a significant progression for QPM Energy’s broader development timeline.
Powerlink’s early initiation of connection works under the CPDA is expected to streamline future regulatory processes while aligning with state planning objectives for energy security and regional economic growth.
Once operational, the Isaac Power Station is anticipated to contribute to Queensland’s electricity resilience by offering both fast-response generation and enhanced network stability in the Moranbah region.
The development also aligns with the state’s broader strategy to modernise its energy infrastructure and encourage private sector investment in flexible, low-emission power generation.
For QPM Energy, completion of the CPDA reinforces confidence among stakeholders and investors that the project is on track to meet its mid-2027 target for energisation, marking an important step forward in Queensland’s evolving energy landscape.
