Endeavour Energy’s new $44 million substation at West Tomerong (NSW) has come online to provide power to residents and businesses across the southern Shoalhaven region, in NSW’s south-east.
General Manager Network Development Ty Christopher said the new substation was a key part of a long term strategy to provide for growth in electricity demand across the region in the future.
“The southern Shoalhaven has experienced steady growth over the past two decades due to residential, commercial and tourist developments.
“As this growth is expected to continue, it is important our network keeps pace as there is still a significant amount of land available for future development.
“The commissioning of this substation is an important milestone in providing for this growth as well as delivering a safe, secure and reliable electricity supply to current and future customers.”
Mr Christopher said the new substation was supplying five zone substations, with a sixth to be added once the new $21.6 million Tomerong Zone Substation was commissioned later in 2014.
“Our zone substations at Culburra, Huskisson, South Nowra, Sussex Inlet and Yatte Yattah were previously supplied from our Shoalhaven Transmission Substation in Nowra.
“This new substation will help provide customers a more reliable and secure power supply and reduce the duration of interruptions when major faults do occur.”
Mr Christopher said the West Tomerong Transmission Substation was located within Yerriyong State Forest on cleared land that was in close proximity to existing transmission lines.
“By using land that had already been cleared, we were able to minimise the environmental impact of the new substation and locate it well away from existing residential dwellings.
“As it is surrounded by forest, the substation has been built with fire resistant buildings, heat shields and a dedicated water supply for firefighting in the event of a bushfire.”
Mr Christopher thanked the local community for their input during the planning and development of the new substation.
“The local community helped inform our plans during the planning and construction of the new substation.
“This same community will now enjoy the benefits of this substantial investment in powering the future of the southern Shoalhaven region for many years to come,” Mr Christopher said.
