14 May 2014
Where the technical limits of a distribution system will be exceeded and the rectification options are likely to exceed $10M, Ergon Energy is required under the National Electricity Rules s5.6.2(f) to consult with affected Registered Participants, AEMO and Interested Parties within the time required for corrective action and meet certain requirements, including undertaking analysis that satisfies the AER’s Regulatory Test, in selection of an appropriate solution.
Ergon Energy Corporation Limited (Ergon Energy) is responsible (under its Distribution Authority) for electricity supply to the wider Gladstone area in central Queensland. We have identified emerging limitations in the electricity distribution network supplying the Boyne Island and Tannum Sands areas south of Gladstone. The loads on Ergon Energy’s zone substation and 11kV network in the Boyne Island/Tannum Sands area have progressively increased such that augmentation is required if reliable supply is to be maintained.
In order to significantly reduce the risk of losing electricity supply to customers in the Boyne Island/Tannum Sands area corrective action should be completed before summer 2015/16. A decision about the selected option is required by May 2014 if any option involving significant construction is to be completed by November 2015.
Ergon Energy published a Request for Information relating to this emerging network constraint on 11 December 2013. Four submissions were received by the closing date of 12 February 2014.
Ergon Energy published a Consultation and Draft Recommendation on 19 March 2014. One submission to the Consultation and Draft Recommendation was received by the closing date of 16 April 2014.
Five feasible solutions to the emerging network constraint have been identified:
- Option 1: Upgrade the existing Boyne Residential Substation with 2 x 20MVA transformers, and an additional 66kV line
- Option 2: External Party A – 10MVA of diesel generation
- Option 3: External Party B – Concentrated photovoltaic dish system, deep cycle batteries with diesel backup
- Option 4: External Party C - 10MVA of diesel generation
- Option 5: External Party D – 10MVA of generation – Ergon Energy owned and run
In accordance with the requirements of the National Electricity Rules (NER), this is now a Final Report where Ergon Energy provides both economic and technical information about possible solutions, and the solution decided on, being Option 1, to upgrade the existing Boyne Residential Substation and construct an additional 66kV line by 2016/17.
| Boyne Island Tannum Sands - Final Recommendation 14 May 2014 | filesize: 329 KB (.pdf) |
| Boyne Island Tannum Sands - Consultation Draft Recommendation 19 March 2014 | filesize: 339 KB (.pdf) |
| Boyne Island Tannum Sands RFI 11 Dec 2013 | filesize: 308 KB (.pdf) |
Information relating to the consultation about this project is provided on our web site:
For further information, please email: regulatory.tests@ergon.com.au