Powerlink has recently published a 'Project Assessment Conclusions Report' (PACR) to maintain power transfer capability and reliability of supply at Lilyvale.
Lilyvale Substation, located approximately 50km from Emerald, plays a critical role in the supply of electricity to customers in Queensland’s Central West region, as well as the Blackwater and Bowen Basin mining areas.
Commissioned over 38 years ago, much of the substation’s primary plant, including two of the original three 132/66 kV transformers, are reaching the end of their technical service lives and are no longer supported by the manufacturer, with limited spares available to rectify a failure if one were to occur. The increasing likelihood of faults arising from the condition of Lilyvale’s ageing and obsolete transformers and primary plant remaining in service beyond October 2022, exposes customers to the risks and consequences of an increasingly unreliable electricity supply.
In May 2019 Powerlink published a 'Project Specification Consultation Report' (PSCR) identifying the proposed preferred option to address the risks to supply and claiming exemption from producing a ‘Project Assessment Draft Report’ as allowed for under NER Clause 5.16.4(z1).
Interest was shown by three non-network proponents in response to the PSCR, with subsequent discussions being held with two. However, the proponents ultimately decided not to progress with any formal submissions. As a result, no additional credible options to meet the identified need were identified as part of this RIT-T consultation and the outcomes of the economic analysis contained in the PACR remain unchanged from those published in the PSCR.
The PACR recommends the replacement of two 132/66kV 80MVA transformers with two 160MVA transformers and the full bay replacement of primary plant in selected bays by October 2022.
The indicative capital cost of the RIT T project for the preferred option is $26.27 million in 2018/19 prices. Powerlink is the proponent of this network option.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the PACR has been made available on AEMO’s website.
- Summary Powerlink QLD PACR – Maintaining power transfer capability and reliability of supply at Lilyvale (304 KB, pdf)
A copy of the PACR can be obtained from the Powerlink website on the RIT-T Consultations page or by emailing networkassessments@powerlink.com.au
Any enquiries should be directed to:
Roger Smith
Manager Network and Alternate Solutions
Powerlink Queensland
PO Box 1193
VIRGINIA, QLD 4014
Ph: (+617) 3860 2328