Construction work commenced in April this year, and although most work is now
completed, final testing is due to conclude December.
“This new tower, when operational will use advanced point-to-point communications
to operate, protect and gather data from TransGrid’s substations, equipment and
transmission lines remotely,” said David Fayyad, TransGrid’s Corporate Relations
Manager.
“Although the communications tower uses around the same amount of power as an
energy saving light globe you would expect to find in any house, it is a critical link in a broader network of communications equipment which forms a spine of
communications down the middle of NSW,” he said.
Communications is essential on the electricity network as this enables a large
network of over 12,500 kms of line to be monitored closely and safely from the a
remote location.
“If a fault occurs on one of the lines supplying electricity, such as a tree branch
blowing in to lines, communications equipment triggers the protection systems and
allows us to quickly work out what went wrong, and how best to fix the fault
immediately.
“An advanced communications system allows us to do this a lot faster, which is not
only a community expectation, but a requirement required by TransGrid by the
electricity market operator”, said Mr Fayyad.
The tower is 80m in height, entirely contained on the existing TransGrid Wellington
Substation site and has been painted green to enable it to blend in with the
surrounding landscape.
Media Contact: Corporate Relations Manager (02) 9284 3527