TransGrid Publishes Final Report: Supply to Port Macquarie (4 October 2007)

The Port Macquarie area includes the majority of the Port Macquarie ? Hastings local government area. It has a population of around 70,000. The area electrical load is characterised primarily by urban residential loads and commercial/light industrial loads in the main population centres and rural loads in surrounding areas.

TransGrid and Country Energy are proposing the construction of a new large transmission network asset to increase the capacity of the 132 kV network supplying the area to meet the agreed reliability standard. In accordance with clause 5.6.6(h) of the National Electricity Rules a final report has been prepared that applies the AER?s regulatory test to a range of reasonable options to meet this requirement.

The proposed actions are that TransGrid will:

• Construct a new double circuit 132 kV line between Kempsey and Port Macquarie to replace the existing single circuit 132 kV line; and
• Provide new 132 kV switchbays at Kempsey and Port Macquarie substations to connect the additional 132 kV circuit.

These works are estimated to cost $ 28 Million and are planned to be completed by summer 2010/11.

A copy of the final report can be downloaded from the Current Consultations page.