A $22 million major upgrade to the 50-year-old Moranbah substation has been completed and is now ready to support the Bowen Basin mines and communities.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the Moranbah substation can secure a critical component of the region’s electricity transmission supply well into the future.
“This is an investment into a safe and reliable electricity supply for local communities, and the jobs and business opportunities generated by the Bowen Basin coal mines,” Dr Lynham said.
After serving the community for close to 50 years, the substation required a serious upgrade to extend its life and ensure it continues to provide well into the future. The project involved government-owned Company, Powerlink, installing two new transformers and a capacitor bank as well as decommissioning a third transformer at the substation.
“The upgrade supported 30 jobs and prepares the transmission network to meet the future energy needs of the region and its strong industry base,” Mr Lynham added.
Powerlink Chief Executive Merryn York said that extending the life of Moranbah Substation was critical to ensuring the reliability of supply in Central Queensland.
“Upgrade projects such as these are a cost-effective solution to safeguard network reliability and avoid or delay the need to build new infrastructure,” Ms York said, but the project wasn’t completed without its fair share of complications.
“The project had its challenges due to restricted site access and tight electrical clearances, requiring our team to meticulously plan the delivery and installation of equipment,” she said.
More information on this project can be found here.