Powerlink has recently published a ‘Project Specification Consultation Report’ to address maintaining power transfer capability and reliability of supply at Ross Substation.
Ross Substation is located approximately 14 kilometres south west of Townsville in north Queensland and is part of the Ross transmission zone. Established in the mid-1980s it is a 275/132kV substation with multiple functions.
It also provides the major injection point to the Ergon Energy distribution network in the Townsville area via six 132kV Powerlink substations, acts as the marshalling point for the transfer of electricity between Strathmore in central Queensland and Chalumbin in far north Queensland and connects a direct customer to the transmission network.
Much of the original 132kV and 275kV primary plant including the original circuit breakers, disconnectors, earth switches, surge arrestors and instrument transformers at Ross Substation are nearing the end of their technical service lives, with manufacturers no longer providing technical support or carrying spares for many of the items.
The proposed preferred option that is considered to satisfy the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) involves the replacement of all at risk 275kV plant in a single stage by October 2024, and a staged replacement of the at risk 132kV plant with the first stage to be completed by October 2024.
The indicative capital cost of the RIT-T project for this option is $24.37 million in 2018/19 prices.
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 ‘Project Specification Consultation Report’ can be obtained from the Powerlink Website on the RIT-T Consultations page or by emailing networkassessments@powerlink.com.au .
Submissions on the Project Specification Consultation Report are required by the closing date of 25 January 2019
Any enquiries in the first instance should be directed to:
Roger Smith
Manager Network and Alternate Solutions
Powerlink Queensland
PO Box 1193
VIRGINIA, QLD 4014
Tel: (+617) 3860 2328