Powerlink Queensland has published a Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) to address system strength requirements in Queensland from December 2025.
System strength is a measure of the ability of the network to maintain and control the voltage both during steady state operation and in response to a network disturbance, such as a sudden change in generation or load, or fault on the network.
The Queensland energy system has historically comprised synchronous generation such as coal-fired power stations, gas turbines and hydro-electric plants. These large synchronous generators have also provided various services, including system strength, as a by-product of their dispatch for energy enabling the power system to operate stably. The increased share of generation from renewable sources, particularly solar and wind generation, means that certain system services are less freely available and must be planned for and delivered by other means.
As the System Strength Service Provider for Queensland, Powerlink is required to take action to plan, procure and make available system strength services as set out in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO’s) annual System Strength Reports.
Powerlink commenced the System Strength Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) in March 2023 with publication of a Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR), which invited proposals from proponents who considered they could offer potential non-network solutions that were both technically and economically feasible by 2030. In November 2024, Powerlink published the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR), which outlined Powerlink’s assessment of five portfolios of solutions to address system strength requirements. The PACR is the final step in the RIT-T process, and sets out Powerlink’s technical and economic assessment of credible options to address system strength requirements from December 2025.
In accordance with the National Electricity Rules, a summary of the PACR has been made available on AEMO’s website. A copy of the PACR can be obtained from the Powerlink website or by emailing networkassessments@powerlink.com.au.