Work has begun on the electrical fit out of the upgraded Hunters Hill zone substation following construction of the new two-storey building and removal of 250 meters of high voltage powerline from the Cambridge Street site.
The architect designed building will house new 66,000 Volt switchgear and protection panels to maintain power to more than 17,000 homes and businesses in Hunters Hill, Gladesville, Boronia Park and Lane Cove.
Ausgrid General Manager Transmission & System Operations, Trevor Armstrong, said the new substation was expected to start supplying power to the area later this year.
“This new building and equipment will replace existing equipment that has served the power needs of the local community since 1969,” Mr Armstrong said. Peak demand for power in the Northern Districts area including Hunters Hill is increasing by about 3.6 per cent every year. The area has seen an increase in housing developments and commercial and residential air conditioning over the past four decades. The new substation and equipment will help maintain a safe and reliable supply of electricity that meets the future electricity demands of the area.”
Specialist line workers, cable jointers and construction crews spent more than 2 years building the new substation and transferring about 250 meters of existing overhead 66,000 V subtransmission powerlines underground.
Substation technicians, including Ausgrid apprentices, are now installing a total of seven bays of 66,000 V indoor gas insulated switchgear and 23 control and protection panels as part of the $25 million project.
“This substation is one of more than 50 major projects currently in construction across the Sydney electricity network,” Armstrong said.
The new substation building also features a lightweight double-skin metal roof and a purpose built 66,000 V cable vault to accommodate the narrow work site and improve access during the connection of new switchgear.
Once fit out work is complete, new 11,000 V underground cables will be connected to the substation to supply power to homes and businesses in the area.
The Hunters Hill zone substation project is part of Ausgrid’s $207 million investment in the northern districts electricity network to 2014.
