Powerlink has published a Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) to manage voltage levels and transfer capability in North Queensland.
Strathmore Substation is located approximately 165 kilometres (km) south of Townsville in North Queensland and has both 275 kilovolt (kV) and 132kV operating voltages. A 275kV SVC was installed in 2007 to manage voltage levels and increase the transfer capacity to North Queensland.
Planning studies confirm that there is an enduring need for both capacitive and inductive voltage support at Strathmore to manage voltage levels and transfer capability in North Queensland.
The secondary systems associated with the Strathmore SVC are nearing the end of their technical service lives and have become or are becoming obsolete.
Powerlink must therefore take action to avoid the increasing likelihood of loss of power arising from failure of the aging secondary systems equipment at Strathmore Substation.
The PSCR outlines Powerlinkâs proposal to replace the secondary systems in the existing control buildings at each substation by December 2030, with indicative capital costs of $23.5 million in 2025/26 prices.
In accordance with the requirements of the NER, a summary of the PSCR is made available on the AEMO website. A copy of the PSCR can be obtained from the Powerlink website or by emailing [email protected].
Submissions on the PSCR are required by the closing date of Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Any enquiries in the first instance should be directed to:
Grant Haydon
Manager, Network and Alternate Solutions
Powerlink Queensland
PO Box 1193
VIRGINIA, QLD 4014
Tel: (+617) 3860 2111