EnergyConnect begins energisation process
Australia’s largest transmission project EnergyConnect has connected the first section of the new Buronga substation in south-western New South Wales to South Australia.
Image for illustration purposes.
Australia, NSW/SA: Australia’s largest transmission project EnergyConnect has connected the first section of the new Buronga substation in south-western New South Wales to South Australia. The 16ha Buronga substation is the main hub for the 900 km project which will connect NSW, Victoria, and SA.
The first 220 kV section of the substation has been connected to the existing Buronga substation, enabling power to flow across the new backbone of EnergyConnect. A double-circuit 135 km, 330 kV transmission line from Buronga to the South Australian border has been constructed and is ready to be connected to South Australia for testing.
Buronga substation includes five phase-shifting transformers, two synchronous condensers and four shunt reactors, making it one of the largest and most sophisticated in the southern hemisphere. The equipment will keep the grid stable and allow renewable energy to be transferred between states, helping provide cost of living relief.
Connecting the substation releases the Test for Energisation phase of the project, including the synchronous condensers. When that is completed, it will be ready for inter-network testing, to be carried out by AEMO when market conditions allow.
The next stages include energising the 330 kV equipment within the switchyard and testing the lines to South Australia and Victoria. The project is on track to begin inter-network testing of the interconnector in the September quarter of 2024.
Construction is also ramping up in the east with work ongoing on the 540 km leg from Wagga Wagga to Buronga. Crews have drilled and poured concrete foundations for 505 tower sites, assembled 185 towers, and erected 90 towers on the two lines. Construction is also underway on the 330 kV Dinawan substation at Bundure, with 225000 tonnes of fill and gravel imported to site and work progressing on synchronous condenser foundations.
Source: Transgrid
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