Coppabella Wind Farm - Rebuild of Transmission Line 99M

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Transmission Line 99M forms an approximate 73 km 132 kV single circuit connection between the Yass 330 kV substation and the Murrumburrah 132 kV substation, located in the Southern Tablelands region.

To facilitate the grid connection of the Coppabella Wind Farm development, Transgrid is proposing to rebuild an approximate 39 km section of Line 99M between the Coppabella Wind Farm (at Structure 143) and Yass substation as a double circuit line (the project).

The rebuilt section of Line 99M would comprise new 40 metre high steel or concrete pole transmission structures, which would be up to 20 meters higher than the existing wooden pole structures. The project would also involve the construction of a new switch bay and associated electrical and communications connection works at Yass substation.

Construction is expected to start in late 2024.

Why is the work taking place?

Goldwind Pty Ltd. has received approval to construct and operate the Coppabella Wind Farm. The Coppabella Wind Farm would connect to the National Electricity Market via Transgrid’s Transmission Line 99M.

The current line rating of Line 99M was not sufficient to accommodate the proposed generation of the Coppabella Wind Farm. While the former approved project (July 2018) involved uprating the line by replacing the existing conductors, further network constraint studies determined that the line would still be constrained under certain operating conditions, particularly due to the introduction of new renewable generation sources in the region.

Additionally, the rebuild of Line 99M would address the marginal loss factor which would have been applied to the former approved transmission line uprating project by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

Main REF

Transgrid prepared a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, which was made available for community and stakeholder comment between 13 June 2019 and 9 August 2019.

The project has now been determined. View the Review of Environmental Factors, Submissions Report and Decision Statement in the resources section.  

Addendum REF

An Addendum REF was prepared to seek approval for the installation of an additional transformer at Yass substation. This would support the grid connection of the Coppabella Wind Farm. The Addendum REF was publicly displayed on the Transgrid website between 3 August and 7 September 2020 for community and stakeholder comment.

The Addendum REF has now been determined. The Addendum REF, Submissions Report and Decision Statement can be viewed in the resources section. 

Addendum REF 2

An Addendum REF was prepared to seek approval for the installation of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) at Yass substation to meet the connection requirements of the Australian Energy Regulator and address network planning constraints due to the Coppabella Wind Farm grid connection. The STATCOM would be installed on the former switchyard bench, adjacent to the new 132/330 kV transformer compound. The Addendum REF was publicly displayed on the Transgrid website between 22 November to 22 December 2023 for community and stakeholder comment.

The Addendum REF has now been determined. The Addendum REF, Submissions Report and Decision Statement can be viewed in the resources section. 

You can contact our Community Engagement team on 1800 222 537 or via community@transgrid.com.au.