Ergon Energy is investing in the electricity network to provide an acceptable long-term power supply to Mackay’s Northern Suburbs and is currently undertaking community consultation with a decision expected within the next 12 months.
To meet a growing demand for electricity in this region, Ergon Energy proposes to undertake a number of projects including:
- Aquire easements to construct a 66,000 volt (66kV) powerline from Glenella substation to Planella substation in Rural View to distribute power at the voltage most commonly used between substations.
- Upgrade the Planella substation in Rural View to from 33/11kV to 66/11kV to receive the power from the new powerline.
- Acquire a substation site in Bucasia for future construction.
Construction within the substation is expected to commence in 2014 and be completed in 2016.
After community consultation, the land for the Bucasia substation has been acquired on the western side of the road where Mackay Bucasia Road meets Shoal Point Road.
Due to changes in Ergon Energy’s capital work program, the Bucasia substation is not expected to be constructed until 2025.
A line route from the Planella substation to the new Bucasia substation has not yet been determined. This powerline is also not expected to be constructed until 2025.
Ergon Energy also proposes to construct a 66kV dual circuit powerline from Glenella substation to Planella substation in Rural View. This is the standard voltage for powerlines between substations in suburban and rural residential areas.
It is proposed that the poles along the powerline will be constructed from concrete and consist of eight cables, three powerlines and an earth wire on each side.
The overhead powerline route proposed is located entirely outside Mackay Regional Council’s urban planning footprint and will enter the Planella substation in Rural View underground.
A line route from the Planella substation in Rural View to the new Bucasia substation has yet to be determined as it is subject to the progress of other projects that have not been finalised.
Due to changes in Ergon Energy’s capital works program, it is not expected that the powerline or the substation will be built for at least 12 years.
