Energex has kickstarted work on its new electricity substation at Birtinya, which will supply power to the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital and medical precinct.
Queensland Energy Minister Mark McArdle joined Energex staff, representatives from the local council and the construction contractors to officially mark the start of work on July 10, and said the $1.87 billion hospital development would transform the Sunshine Coast region.
“This new 60MW substation will not only provide power to the new hospitals and medical hub, but in the future, it will also supply neighbouring suburbs for the next generation of Sunshine Coast families,” he said, acknowledging a secure and reliable electricity supply was essential to the success of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital project.
Weather permitting, the substation will be operational around March-April 2015.
The contract to construct the substation was awarded to Zinfra, which has a history in electricity works construction with Energex on the Sunshine Coast, including upgrades to Energex’s Nambour substation as well as local water pumping stations.
Zinfra has advised, where possible, it will be sourcing materials, labour resources and accommodation from the local area during the construction phase.
“While the key focus for this project is to underpin supplies to the medical facilities, the location of the substation will greatly enhance the company’s ability to meet growing power use in the area in the decades ahead,” Energex asset manager Steven Lynch said.
Mr Lynch said Energex crews and contractors had recently completed a $2.8 million project to relocate high voltage overhead powerlines near the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
