TransGrid has recently published a Project Specification Consultation Report for Managing the Risk of Corrosion between Marulan and Dapto on Line 8.
Constructed in 1956 and 1962, Line 8 is one of the key 330 kV transmission lines linking Southern New South Wales with the Wollongong and Sydney load centres.
The line itself traverses through farmland, national park areas, climbing from the coastal plain up the Illawarra Escarpment. Owing to the nature of the terrain traversed by Line 8, the failure of the corroding transmission structures and/or physical conductor drops presents bushfire risks and safety risks. While these risks have an inherently low probability, the consequences can be catastrophic.
As part of TransGrid’s ongoing routine asset monitoring maintenance, it has been revealed that many of the 175 transmission structures on Line 8 are now experiencing corrosion, including steel towers, insulators, conductor fittings and conductor/earth wire.
TransGrid considers that the only feasible option from a technological and project delivery perspective is replacing or refurbishing corroded components in one stage.
The estimated capital cost of the proposed preferred option is $6.1 million.
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 TransGrid Website on the RIT-T Consultations page or by emailing RIT-TConsultations@TransGrid.com.au
Submissions Project Specification Consultation Report are required by the closing date of 12 December 2018.
- PSCR summary report (1.4 MB, pdf)