Powerlink has recently published a ‘Project Specification Consultation Report’ (PSCR) to address the secondary systems condition risks at Innisfail.
Innisfail Substation is located approximately 70 kilometres south-east of Cairns in Far North Queensland. The site was originally established in the late 1950s as part of the Kareeya Hydro Power Station project to provide electricity to coastal communities in the area. It continues today as a 132/22kV bulk supply point for Energy Queensland’s distribution network for the Innisfail area.
Planning studies have confirmed there is a long-term requirement to continue to supply the existing electricity services provided by Innisfail Substation.
Many of the current secondary systems were installed in 2003 and are reaching the end of their technical service lives, with respective manufacturers slowly withdrawing support and limited spares are available. Increasing failure rates, along with the increased time to rectify the faults due to the obsolescence of the equipment significantly affects the availability, reliability and technical capability of these systems to continue to meet the requirements of the National Electricity Rules (the Rules).
The proposed preferred option that is considered to satisfy the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission involves the replacement of the secondary systems at Innisfail Substation in a new building by December 2024.
The indicative capital cost of this option is $11.63 million in 2020/21 prices.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the PSCR 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 PSCR are required by the closing date of 5 March 2021.
Any enquiries in the first instance should be directed to:
Glen Titman
Acting Manager Network and Alternate Solutions
Powerlink Queensland
PO Box 1193
VIRGINIA, QLD 4014
Tel: (+617) 3860 2111