Queensland’s $60 billion gas industry has been given a boost following the completion of a major substation in the North-West Surat Basin.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the Yuleba North Substation will act as the central point for more than 200km of new high-voltage transmission lines, supplying power to six gas processing facilities owned by Santos GLNG and Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG).
“Powerlink’s construction work has injected more than $14 million into the North-West Surat Basin local economy in the first five months of this year,” Mr Pitt said, adding the APLNG and GLNG non-regulated projects are expected to cost around $506 million in acquisition and construction.
It’s estimated electricity demand in the region will increase from about 100MW to 600MW before 2016, more than peak demand for the entire Sunshine Coast and surrounding hinterland.
Powerlink has completed construction of six of its seven substations in North-West Surat, with Blythdale Substation completed in September.
Minister for Energy Mark Bailey said the final section of transmission line was due for completion by early 2016.
“The transmission lines between Yuleba North and Blythdale substations will be the last link in the network,” he said.
“This electricity network provides crucial support for Queensland’s coal seam gas industry, generating significant economic benefits for the state.”
Powerlink chief executive Merryn York said the state-owned corporation was proud to be contributing toward the economic growth of Queensland.
“This new substation represents a key milestone for Powerlink in the Surat, having taken three years of planning and construction to deliver,” she said.
“When the substation becomes operational it will be the central hub for our transmission network in the region, connecting 217km of transmission lines in an area bounded by Wandoan, Roma and Injune.”
