Powerlink has recently published a ‘Project Assessment Conclusions Report’ (PACR) to address the secondary systems condition risks at Mt England Substation.
Mt England Substation is a 275kV switching station located approximately 40km north-west of the Brisbane Central Business District. It was established in 1983 to provide a connection point for Wivenhoe Power Station and facilitate the flow of energy from Tarong Power Station into the greater Brisbane transmission network via feeders to South Pine, Blackwall and Abermain Substations. The secondary systems at Mt England broadly perform the functions of transmission element protection, data collection, remote (and local) control and monitoring. Many of these systems are reaching the end of their technical service lives, and are increasingly no longer supported by their manufacturer, with limited spares available
In December 2019 Powerlink published a ‘Project Specification Consultation Report’ (PSCR) identifying the proposed preferred option to address the risks and claiming exemption from producing a ‘Project Assessment Draft Report’ as allowed for under NER Clause 5.16.4(z1).
There were no submissions received in response to the PSCR, which closed in March 2020. As a result, no additional credible options that could deliver a material market benefit have been identified and the outcomes of the economic analysis contained in the PACR remain unchanged from those published in the PSCR.
The PACR recommends implementation of the preferred network option; Replacement of selected 275kV secondary systems within the existing building by October 2023. The indicative capital cost of this option is $10.26 million in 2019/20 prices. Powerlink is the proponent of this network project.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the PACR is made available on the AEMO website. 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 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