TransGrid, the NSW electricity transmission network operator, today announced plans to invest over $80 million to increase the security of power supply to the nation’s capital and surrounding regions.
In collaboration with ACTEW AGL and The ACT Government, TransGrid plans to construct a second bulk electricity supply point to the South of the Canberra, which involves building new substation at Williamsdale, a new switching station at Wallaroo, existing line upgrades and a new 4km transmission line.
Additionally, TransGrid is planning a major upgrade of the existing Canberra Substation.
“TransGrid’s proposed project will provide a second major point of electricity supply to the ACT, and along with the planned upgrade to Canberra Substation, these important investments will become the future of the region’s electricity supply”, said Manager of Design and Construct Projects, Steve Jones.
“The biggest demand in the Southern Tablelands region is the ACT and Queanbeyan, which are predominantly residential and commercial loads”, said Mr Jones.
“The vast majority of the ACT’s electricity supply originates from TransGrid’s Canberra Substation”, he said.
“By creating a second independent source of electricity supply, we will strengthen the reliability of electricity to both the ACT and surrounding regions.”
“The new Williamsdale Substation for example, will have the capacity to supply an additional 549,000 homes.”
Construction on the Williamsdale Substation is expected to commence in September 2009. Completion of all the projects is scheduled for Winter 2012.