Powerlink has recently published a ‘Project Assessment Conclusions Report’ (PACR) to maintain power transfer capability and reliability of supply at Ross Substation.
Ross Substation was first established in the 1983 and is an essential switching station for 275kV power transfer from central to north and far north Queensland, as well as the major injection point for the Townsville area distribution network. Three 275/132kV transformers provide the bulk supply of electricity to Townsville and the surrounding area via Powerlink substations at Townsville South, Millchester, Alan Sherriff, Dan Gleeson, Kidston and Yabulu South.
At over 35 years of age, much of the substation’s primary plant is reaching the end of its technical service life and is no longer supported by the manufacturer, with few spares available.
In October 2018 Powerlink published a ‘Project Specification Consultation Report’ (PSCR) identifying the proposed preferred option to address the condition and obsolescence risks and claiming exemption from producing a ‘Project Assessment Draft Report’ as allowed for under NER Clause 5.16.4(z1). There were no submissions received in response to the PSCR which closed in January 2019. As a result, no additional credible options that could deliver a material market benefit have been identified and the outcomes of the economic analysis contained in the PACR remain unchanged from those published in the PSCR.
The PACR recommends upfront replacement of all ageing and obsolete 275kV primary plant and selected 132kV equipment by October 2024. The estimated capital cost of the RIT-T project for the preferred option is $24.37 million in 2018/19 prices. Powerlink is the proponent of this network project.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the PACR has been made available on AEMO’s website. A copy of the PACR can be obtained from the Powerlink Website on the RIT-T Consultations page or by emailing networkassessments@powerlink.com.au.
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 2328
- Summary of the PACR (219 KB, pdf)