TransGrid Publishes Application Notice: Supply to Cowra/Forbes/Parkes (24th July 2007)

The Cowra/Forbes/Parkes area includes the Cowra, Forbes, Parkes and Weddin shires as well as parts of Lachlan shire. It has a resident population of around 50,000.

TransGrid and Country Energy are proposing the construction of a new large transmission network asset to increase the capacity of the transmission network supplying the area. In accordance with clause 5.6.6(c) of the National Electricity Rules an application notice has been prepared that applies the AER?s regulatory test to a range of reasonable options to meet this requirement.

The preferred option is for TransGrid to:

• Construct a new 132 kV line between Manildra 132/11 kV substation and Parkes 132/66 kV substation; and
• Provide a 132 kV line switchbay at each of those substations to connect the new line.

The new line would be between 70 km and 85 km long depending on the route selected.

These works are estimated to cost $30 million (+/- 25%) and could be completed by late 2010.

TransGrid and Country Energy invite submissions on the application notice from interested parties. The closing date for submissions is Tuesday 4th September 2007.

A copy of the application notice can be downloaded from the

Current Consultations page.