$118 Million Power Boost for Southern Tablelands

Thursday, 3 January 2008

Work will commence next week on a $118.5 million substation, which will strengthen electricity supplies to meet the future energy needs of the expanding Southern Tablelands, acting Energy Minister Linda Burney said today.

Ms Burney said the substation will be located at Hanworth Road, Bannaby, near Taralga.

"This major investment demonstrates the NSW Government's commitment to providing essential infrastructure for families and businesses in regional NSW," Ms Burney said.

"The new TransGrid substation will allow the existing Mt. Piper - Marulan transmission line to operate at its design voltage of 500 kV.

"It will provide a safe and reliable electricity supply to residential and business customers in Southern NSW and provide additional supply to Sydney and Wollongong to meet growing energy needs."

Ms Burney said the construction will also provide a welcome upgrade to local roads, between Taralga and the substation site.

"Because of the construction, Bannaby and Hanworth Roads will be upgraded, to enable large and heavy equipment to be transported to the site," Ms Burney said.

"This upgrade will be funded by TransGrid and the work will be carried out by Upper Lachlan Shire Council.

"The project will also provide a welcome boost to the local economy with supplies for civil works, materials and equipment.

"The construction of the substation forms a part of a larger $330 million investment, known as the Western 500 project, which was initiated to ensure the continued reliability of electricity for future generations in NSW.

"TransGrid is midway through a $1.2 billion network capital expenditure program ,which is supporting the future economic growth of New South Wales."

The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2009


Media Contact: David Fayyad Corporate Relations Manager