TransGrid Publishes Final Report: Supply to Cowra/Parkes/Forbes (4 October 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(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 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.

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