Ausgrid crews have put the final touches on the new Metford zone substation in the New South Wales lower Hunter Valley.
The 33/11kV substation has been fitted out with two transformers and space for a third, as the potential for growth in the immediate area is significant.
Crews have installed two transformers and the electrical switchgear at the new Metford zone substation, which will help to safely supply electricity to about 8,000 local homes and businesses.
The substation has been designed to fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood while still achieving an economic and efficient solution to meet the requirements of the network.
“The new Metford zone substation will allow the nearby East Maitland zone substation to be shut down after almost 50 years of service,” said Ausgrid Deputy Chief Executive Officer Trevor Armstrong.
“The recently completed Maitland Central zone substation replaced equipment installed in the 1970s, and these two projects together will help provide a safe and reliable power supply in the area for years to come.”
The Metford zone substation is an indoor-outdoor design with connections to the 33kV network via existing overhead infrastructure nearby and all the 11kV cables connecting to the existing underground network.
The works
Fitting out a substation of this size is a major project, with crews carrying out work both within the substation and on the surrounding electricity network.
Ausgrid crews had to build new sections of powerlines, both overhead and underground, to connect the substation to the network, and to the homes and businesses it supplies. Crews worked in 16 different locations across East Maitland and Metford, building the necessary 33,000 volt and 11,000 volt powerlines.
The new substation replaced the existing East Maitland zone substation, which was nearing the end of its serviceable life. The new substation is located at 67 Turton Street, Metford, with the site being chosen as it is located next to an existing 33,000 Volt powerline that will be used to supply power to the substation.
The new substation is connected into the existing electrical network via two separate 33,000 Volt connections to ensure security of supply. A number of 11,000 Volt cables have also been connected from the new substation to the existing network.
Now that it’s up and running, the Metford substation project will assist Ausgrid in maintaining a safe and reliable power supply to East Maitland, Metford and surrounding suburbs.