Transgrid Project Specification Consultation Report: Maintaining safe and reliable operation of Beryl substation

Transgrid has published the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) for Maintaining safe and reliable operation of Beryl substation. Publication of this PSCR represents the first step in the Regulatory Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process.

Beryl substation was commissioned in 1976 and forms part of our network that serves the central west NSW area. It is supplied via two 132kV feeders (Line 94B and 94M) and feeds six customer 66kV lines operated by Essential Energy. The substation is expected to continue to play a central role in the safe and reliable operation of the power system throughout and after the transition to a low-carbon electricity future.

The condition of certain 132 kV and 66 kV high voltage and secondary system assets at Beryl substation has deteriorated over time leading to an increasing risk of failure which could result in reliability, safety, environment and financial consequences. The secondary systems assets are also impacted by obsolescence of the equipment, increasing the time to reactively rectify faults and increasing the risk that primary assets at the substation may not be able to reliably operate.
Condition assessments performed through our routine maintenance program has shown deterioration in the condition of these high voltage and secondary systems assets which will increase their risk of failure. Without intervention, other than ongoing business-as-usual maintenance, the assets are expected to deteriorate further and more rapidly. This will increase the risk of supply interruptions to our customers as well as safety, environmental and financial consequences.

The secondary system assets are also subject to obsolescence of the equipment. This means that the technology is no longer being manufactured or supported and reactive replacement of failed secondary systems component is not sustainable and impacts our ability to meet the requirements of the National Electricity Rules (NER).
In the PSCR Transgrid presented one credible network options that would meet the identified need from a technical, commercial, and project delivery perspective. This PSCR finds that implementation of Option 1 is the preferred option at this draft stage of the RIT-T process. Option 1 involves targeted replacement of high voltage and secondary system assets at Beryl substation that have deteriorating condition and have reached (or will soon reach) the end of their technical lives and for which only limited manufacturer support and spares are available.

The estimated capital cost of this option is approximately $7.06 million +/- 25 per cent. Transgrid is the proponent of the proposed network project.

Transgrid welcomes written submissions on materials contained in this PSCR. Submissions are due on 15 August 2023.

In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the Project Specification Consultation Report is made available on the AEMO website. A copy of the PSCR can be obtained from Transgrid’s website or by emailing regulatory.consultation@transgrid.com.au.