TransGrid and CE Secure Power Supplies For Mid-North Coast

27 June 2008

A $62 million power upgrade project by the NSW high voltage electricity transmission network operator, TransGrid, and regional electricity distributor, Country Energy, will meet increasing demand for power throughout the Mid North Coast now and well into the future, Minister for Energy Ian Macdonald said today.

"The Mid North Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in regional NSW with corresponding growth in demand for power," the Minister said.

"TransGrid has been progressively upgrading the electricity supply to meet current commercial and residential needs, building new substations at Nambucca Heads and Coffs Harbour and augmenting a 132,000 volt electricity powerline between Kempsey and Coffs Harbour.

"Now, to cater for the region's future energy needs, the company plans to convert a 66,000 volt circuit operating on existing infrastructure into a second 132,000 volt circuit to increase the capacity and reliability of power supply for the Mid North Coast," Mr Macdonald said.

In parallel with TransGrid's network upgrade, Country Energy will construct three new electricity zone substations at Raleigh, Macksville and Boambee to cater for the higher voltage and improve power supply for customers.

"Site work recently commenced for the construction of a new $12.6 million zone substation at Raleigh, on land adjacent to an existing zone substation which is reaching the end of its life," the Minister said.

"The new facility will double power supply capacity in the area.

"Later in 2008, a $13.2 million zone substation will be built at Macksville with triple the capacity of the old Newee Creek facility it is replacing," the Minister said. "The new Macksville zone substation will be located closer to the industrial centre, improving supply reliability and energy efficiency."

"Then in the first half of 2009, a new $15.4 million zone substation will be built at Boambee that will provide four times additional capacity for the area," he said.

Work on the Country Energy projects is scheduled for completion in late 2009.

"This major investment in the region is a concrete example of the Iemma Government continuing to invest in the state's electricity network - the poles and wires - which will remain in public ownership," the Minister said.

Media Contact: David Fayyad Corporate Relations Manager