Creating value through the energy transition

Ohm’s Law: Voltage = Current x Resistance

Expertise VisIR founded and developed the $5 billion CopperString transmission network over approximately 1,000 km across Northern Queensland.

Queensland firm, VisIR, founded and developed the CopperString 2.0 transmission network over approximately 1,000 km across Northern Queensland. The project was sold to the State Government in March 2023. CopperString 2032 has now commenced construction phase activities after the Queensland Premier announced this milestone on 9 July 2024.

CopperString is the largest ever economic development project in North Queensland and the largest expansion to the National Electricity Market in Australia.

CopperString is a High Voltage transmission network that will run from near Townsville to Mount Isa connecting the isolated North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market. The North West Minerals Province contains one of the world’s richest deposits of critical minerals (including zinc, copper, gold, silver, lead and vanadium) worth an estimated $500 billion.

CopperString will also connect up to 6 GW of renewable energy in the North Queensland Renewable Energy Zone, home to some of Australia’s best wind and solar resources.

In October 2023, the Queensland Government announced $1.3 billion to advance the construction of CopperString. Construction commenced in in Hughenden in July 2024, project completion is anticipated in 2029.

Copperstring 2032

Expertise VisIR’s track record is unique in creating a development capability with deep understanding of the political economy. It is built on the experience of complex infrastructure projects, strategic investments and establishing industry-leading advisory firms.

Understanding the political economy

The imperative to transition the economy to a Net Zero emissions profile creates an important role for Government to manage their policy and political objectives and to resolve market failures during this major structural change.

Investment decisions and strategies need to be considered in the financial economy and the political economy. VisIR’s unique track-record and capability is to create strategies that are robust under a range of policy and political futures, and influence these in the future.

Understanding the power system 

Value will be maximised, and emissions minimised by understanding the integrated power system; moving beyond individual elements of generation or transmission and focusing on an “investible power system solution”.

This comprehensive system approach minimises coordination risk and maximises the contribution of projects to achieving economic and emissions-reduction objectives, ultimately creating more sustainable and economic power infrastructure at lower system cost.

Aligning capital & development characteristics

VisIR recognises that capital formation and structure during development, delivery and operations plays a pivotal role in success. It is essential to align investor interests over the stages of development and with different elements of a development.

VisIR has invested in and worked across the spectrum of capital providers – private capital managers, industrial investors, electricity market participants and government – we create capital formation strategies that best align with opportunities.

Broad, deep and relevant relationships

VisIR provides flexible and creative thinking coupled with a broad and valuable relationship ecosystem, from community and political leaders to industrial businesses, electricity industry businesses and capital providers.

VisIR has a unique capability to build momentum with stakeholders –particularly in regional Australia – and create broad-based support, de-risk development and execute transactions.

Project RAPAD Power Grid: Empowering Queensland’s clean energy future

The largest and most technically advanced power system project in Australia, RAPAD Power Grid is a unique community-led clean energy initiative. The project comprises 5.2 GW of world leading HVDC transmission technology, circa 6 GW of renewable generation and large-scale battery storage. RAPAD Power Grid will integrate vast clean energy resources to support Queensland’s clean industrial economy.
RAPAD Power Grid was initiated through a unique collaboration between the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD), Barcaldine Regional Council and VisIR. RAPAD represents seven local government areas that span almost 25% of Queensland.

RAPAD Power Grid will, via grassroots engagement, ensure the communities of Central Western Queensland have a strong positive influence on the development of major power infrastructure in the region.

RAPAD Power Grid
A community-led development  
World Leading Technology
Powering the Superpower
Unlocking Regional Potential

Project Our Co-Founders

John O’Brien

Co-founder

John is trusted advisor to key government, community and industry stakeholders. He has worked in the Queensland electricity industry for over 45 years. John has co-founded numerous industry-leading firms including ROAM Consulting, Hill Michael, global-roam, and the $5b CopperString transmission project.

Joseph O’Brien

Co-founder

Joseph is a leader in the Australian electricity sector, working across infrastructure, energy markets and industrial energy strategy. He was founder and CEO of the $5b CopperString project leading strategy, capital formation, and government negotiation. Joseph has deep community, business, and government relationships.

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T: +61 7 3911 1181
GPO Box 3075
Brisbane, Queensland
Australia 4001