Williamsdale gets transformed
TransGrid, the owner and operator of the New South Wales transmission network delivered the important high voltage equipment at 5.00am this morning as part of a $50 million investment into the region’s electricity network. TransGrid’s Manager of Design and Construct Projects, Mr Steve Jones said the Williamsdale Substation Project involves the construction and connection of a new 330,000 volt substation. “The new substation will have the capacity to supply electricity to around half a million average homes, increasing the reliability to homes and businesses in the ACT and the surrounding region,” said Mr Jones. “The substation is an important first stage of TransGrid’s program of works to provide the ACT with a second major bulk supply of electricity,” he said. The new transformer was transported from Alstom Grid ‘s factory in Queensland to Marulan in late 2010, before being transported to the ACT this morning using four prime movers. Transporting the new transformer was part of a complex logistical exercise with the entire transport system measuring approximately 85 metres in length and weighing almost 180 tonnes. The transformer was also accompanied by six pilot vehicles, two police escorts from NSW and four from the ACT. Transformer unloading operations will begin mid-morning at the Williamsdale Substation site and take several hours. TransGrid currently connects to a large amount of renewable energy sources in NSW, including over 4,000 megawatts of hydro and wind generation.
