Powerlink Builds Eight Towers To Connect Solar Farm

The Columboola Solar Farm project has reached its next milestone, with Powerlink finishing work building eight transmission towers to connect the solar farm to the grid.


Powerlink Chief Executive Paul Simshauser said Powerlink was constructing two kilometers of transmission line and completing works at its existing Columboola substation as part of the renewable project.


“Assembling the transmission towers was no easy feat, with each tower comprising 15 tonnes of steel atop 30 cubic metres of concrete foundations, extending up to six metres underground,” Simshauser said. “Our specialised crews will shortly commence works to string the powerline wires between the newly-built towers, which involves using a draw wire to expertly thread and tension the powerline wire.”

This new stretch of line will cross directly under an existing 275-kV transmission line. A range of comprehensive inspections and commissioning tests will then be conducted prior to safely energizing the transmission line, which is expected to occur in mid-2021.


Hana Financial Investment’s 162-MW Columboola Solar Farm signals the continuation of the renewable energy boom in the Western Downs, with the site expected to power the equivalent of 100,000 or around 6% of homes across Queensland.


Hana Financial Investment Deputy General Manager Jaewon Lee said, “Based on the success of the Columboola Solar Farm, Hana Financial Investment will continue to invest and develop more renewable projects in Queensland with Korean power utilities to help build a greener future with sustainable growth.”


Being built between Chinchilla and Miles on a 1,000-acre site, the solar farm will provide up to 400 jobs during construction, while Powerlink’s grid connection works will support another 20 jobs.