Transgrid has completed the Powering Sydney’s Future Project which will secure electricity supply to the Sydney CBD and surrounding areas for decades to come.
The project was fast tracked by the NSW Government in response to growing peak electricity demand, driven largely by the new infrastructure investment and population growth.
Related article: Spotlight On: Transgrid’s Marie Jordan
Transgrid CEO Brett Redman said the $235 million project is the largest 300kV cable project delivered in Australia.
“This is the culmination of many years of planning, design and construction and will ensure a reliable electricity supply to more than 800,000 residents and the critical businesses and infrastructure helping to power the nation’s largest economy.
“I’d like to thank the entire team behind Powering Sydney’s Future, despite the enormous challenges of the pandemic and building this infrastructure in some of Australia’s most densely populated areas, they’ve delivered this project on time and under budget.
“The recent instability we’ve seen in the energy sector highlights the crucial role transmission and projects like this play in enabling Australia’s energy transition,” Redman said.
Construction on the Powering Sydney’s Future project began in August 2020 and included:
- Installing a new 20km 330kV underground cable between Potts Hill and Alexandria
- Upgrading Transgrid substations at Potts Hill, Alexandria and Picnic Point
- Installing additional conduits so there is space for a second cable to be added in the future as demand increases
- Constructing cable bridges for the cable to cross rail corridors.
Powering Sydney’s Future Project director Colin Mayer said construction partners at Taihan and Garde, Zinfra, and GE helped meet technical challenges.
“It’s very satisfying that we delivered the project with great co-operation between our contractors and Transgrid—we worked as one team and we’ve delivered a great outcome for the people of Sydney,” Mayer said.
With the route passing through areas which have seen significant construction disruption in recent years Transgrid also thought ahead for the Powering Sydney’s Future project.
Related article: Transgrid completes Snowy Mountain bushfire repairs
“During construction we installed extra conduits which means when we need to put in additional cables in the future we can use those spare conduits and there will be much less disruption for residents and businesses,” Mayer said.
Transgrid also collaborated with Transport for NSW to deliver the Bedwin Road Cycle Bridge which serves double duties—providing a route for cyclists over the rail line at St Peters and carrying the Powering Sydney’s Future cables within the bridge structure.
