Transgrid has published the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) for Maintaining compliance with performance standards applicable to Wallerawang substation secondary systems. The PACR is the final step in the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process and follows the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) published in May 2024.
The Wallerawang 330 kV substation is a part of Transgrid’s 330 kV network connecting Mount Piper to Sydney South as well as supplying Wallerawang 132 kV substation, an Endeavour Energy Bulk Supply Point (BSP) Wallerawang 330 kV substation will remain part of the 330 kV backbone of NSW into the foreseeable future.
Secondary systems assets at Wallerawang substation are facing technological obsolescence, increasing the time to rectify defects and increasing the risk that primary assets at the substation may not be able to reliably operate. This is significant as secondary systems are used to control, monitor, protect and provide communication to facilitate safe and reliable network operation. They are necessary to ensure the secure operation of the transmission network and prevent damage to primary assets when adverse events occur.
TransGrid published a Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) for maintaining compliance with performance standards applicable to Wallerawang substation secondary systems in May 2024. In the PSCR TransGrid presented two credible network options that would meet the identified need from a technical, commercial, and project delivery perspective.
No submissions were received in response to the PSCR during the consultation period which closed in August 2024 and no additional credible options have been identified.
The assessment in this PACR finds that Option 2 (complete in-situ replacement of all secondary systems at the site) is the preferred option to meet the identified need.
In accordance with the requirements of the National Electricity Rules, a summary of the PACR is made available on the AEMO website. A copy of the PACR can be obtained from Transgrid's website or by emailing regulatory.consultation@transgrid.com.au.