Powerlink has recently published a Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) to address the secondary systems condition risks at Tarong Substation.

Located approximately 130km north-west of Brisbane, Tarong Substation is a major part of the 275kV transmission backbone connecting generators to the major load centres in the south-east of the State. It also provides the major injection point for local, rural and bulk mining loads in south-west Queensland.
Several 275kV secondary systems at the Tarong Substation are reaching the end of their technical service life and are no longer supported by the manufacturer, with no spares available.

In September 2018 Powerlink published a Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) identifying the proposed preferred option to address the 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 November 2018. 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 replacing selected secondary systems in the free space of the existing building by December 2022. The estimated capital cost is $7.8 million in 2017/18 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 (184 KB, pdf)