Powerlink has recently published a ‘Project Specification Consultation Report’ (PSCR) to address the secondary systems condition risks at Cairns.
Cairns Substation was established in the mid-1950s, as the principal connection point for all 132kV circuits in the Cairns area. In 2002, Woree Substation was established, which allowed the Cairns Substation to be rebuilt with a reduced configuration. It now acts as the major injection node for the southern section of the Cairns 22kV network, which is supplied via Ergon Energy (part of the Energy Queensland Group).
Installed almost 20 years ago, most secondary systems at the Cairns Substation are reaching the end of their technical service lives, and are no longer supported by the manufacturer, with limited spares available. Increasing failure rates, along with the increased time to rectify faults due to the obsolescence of the equipment, significantly affects the availability and reliability of these systems and their ability 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 (RIT-T), involves the replacement of the secondary systems at Cairns in a new demountable building by December 2024.
The indicative capital cost of this option is $7.84 million in 2019/20 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 31 July 2020.
Any enquiries in the first instance should be directed to:
Sarah Huang
Acting Manager Network and Alternate Solutions
Powerlink Queensland
PO Box 1193
VIRGINIA, QLD 4014
Tel: (+617) 3860 2111
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