The Lockyer Valley’s electricity grid received a significant boost recently with the completion of a $12.3 million upgrade by Energex, Queensland, Australia. Work included a $4.8 million upgrade to the Glenore Grove substation located on Forest Hill-Fernvale Road and the construction of a $7.5 million powerline from the Glenore Grove substation to Laidley substation.
According to Russell Cross, Energex’s Asset Manager Western region, these projects have significantly bolstered the power supply to more than 6,000 homes in the Lockyer Valley and created a much more reliable rural electricity network. “The Glenore Grove substation upgrade saw equipment that had served the community for more than 50 years replaced with the most up-to-date electrical infrastructure,” Cross said.
“The substation improvements also allowed Energex to directly connect it to Laidley substation via a new powerline which, in most cases, will allow our crews to get the lights on faster after storm damage because they’ll be able to divert power between both facilities.
“This work will also allow for future domestic and commercial growth in the region.”
Cross thanked the local community for their patience and understanding during the upgrade process which was hampered by flooding in 2011 and 2013.
This work will also complement a recently completed $13 million upgrade of the power network in Lowood and Lockrose.
Energex’s capital works program aims to improve and reinforce electricity supplies across South East Queensland, especially to meet peak electricity demand periods, and to support the increased use of residential solar power and lifestyle enhancing appliances, such as air-conditioners and flat screen televisions.
