Queensland’s government has announced a significant investment of $250 million to expand its Queensland Capacity Network (QCN), a fiber backhaul network that supports electricity distribution networks.
Currently, the QCN spans 13,000 kilometers of fiber infrastructure, which includes access to Queensland Rail’s own fiber network.
Creating Australia’s Largest Publicly Owned Regional Fiber Network
This new investment aims to transform the QCN into the largest publicly owned regional fiber network in Australia.
The expanded network will play a crucial role in supporting data centers located near renewable energy hubs. Additionally, it will provide essential connectivity for advanced manufacturing jobs in regional areas.
Parallel to the SuperGrid CopperString 2023 Project
This ambitious initiative will run alongside the state’s SuperGrid CopperString 2023 project, which is focused on expanding electricity transmission between various key locations.
By investing in digital infrastructure, the Queensland government is laying the foundation for regional economic growth and facilitating the connection between renewable energy resources, data centers, and industries.