Work on the new Peregian substation in Peregian, South East Queensland, Australia has commenced following Ministerial designation of land for community infrastructure under the Integrated Planning Act 1997. Project work began in July at the ENERGEX substation site on Doonan Bridge East Road following approval by the Honourable Geoff Wilson MP, Minister for Mines & Energy. Construction work is expected to be completed by October 2007.
ENERGEX Works Group Manager Kevin Ball said work on the more than $4 million substation will coincide with more than $800,000 worth of local electricity network upgrades including some underground cable laying and upgrades to overhead lines.
“The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in ENERGEX’s South East Queensland distribution area with an average of almost 20 new houses and units and four commercial or industrial premises connecting to the electricity network every working day,” said Mr Ball. “And there is no question that the areas around Coolum and Peregian are surging with local power demand increasing at rates above regional and national averages,” he added.
Mr Ball said ENERGEX was investing heavily to improve the electricity network in the company’s North Coast regional area with more than $85 million allocated to various upgrades in the recently completed financial year. This expenditure follows an $80 million investment in 2005/06.
ENERGEX’s strategic planning studies identified the need for a new 33/11-kV modular substation to supply the Peregian area by late 2007. Once completed, the new substation and improved local supply network will provide ENERGEX technicians more switching options to restore power faster after unexpected damage to the network caused by storms, wild weather, vehicles hitting power poles or underground cables being accidentally damaged.
