Powerlink has recently published a ‘Project Specification Consultation Report’ (PSCR) to address the secondary systems condition risks at Tangkam Substation.
Tangkam Substation was established in 1999 as part of the Oakey Gas Turbine Power Station connection, and is approximately 30km north west of Toowoomba. Planning studies have confirmed there is a long-term requirement to continue to supply the existing electricity services provided by Tangkam Substation.
The secondary systems at Tangkam broadly perform the functions of transmission element protection, data collection, remote (and local) control and monitoring. The majority of Tangkam’s secondary systems will reach the end of their technical service lives by June 2023, with only limited manufacturer support and spares available after this time. Over 80% of the 110kV secondary systems equipment is expected to reach an unsupportable level by June 2024.
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 single stage replacement of all 110kV secondary systems at Tangkam Substation into a new demountable building by June 2024.
The indicative capital cost of the RIT-T project is $14.6 million in 2022/23 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 PSCR 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 Friday 6 January, 2023.
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 2111