Powerlink has recently published a ‘Project Assessment Conclusions Report’ (PACR) to maintain reliability of supply in the Tarong and Chinchilla local areas.
Tarong Substation was established in 1982 and forms part of the 275kV backbone servicing South East Queensland, as well as local loads in the Tarong and Chinchilla areas. The Tarong local area load includes auxiliary supply to Tarong Power Station. Chinchilla Substation was established in 1986 to supply bulk electricity to the distribution network in the area, via a double circuit 132kV transmission line from Tarong Substation. Planning studies have confirmed an enduring need for the supply of existing electricity services to the area.
Four transformers at Tarong are nearing the end of their respective service lives, with recent condition assessments revealing a range of increasing network and safety risks arising from their continued operation. Two of these transformers supply the local area load at Tarong while two transformers provide back-up supply to Chinchilla. The secondary systems at Chinchilla and the majority of primary plant are also approaching the end of their technical lives.
In August 2021 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 2021. 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 implementation of Option 2; the reconfiguration of Chinchilla and replacement of assets at Tarong by June 2025. The indicative capital cost of this option is $27.9 million in 2020/21 prices. Design work will commence in 2023, with the reconfiguration, installation and commissioning of the new assets completed by June 2025. Powerlink is the proponent of the proposed 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.
Enquiries should be directed to:
Roger Smith
Manager Network and Alternate Solutions
Powerlink Queensland
PO Box 1193
VIRGINIA, QLD 4014
Tel: (+617) 3860 2328