Ausgrid has commissioned the new Tighes Hill zone substation which will supply homes and businesses in Islington, Tighes Hill, and Maryville, Carrington and parts of Mayfield in Newcastle, NSW.
It will also power major industrial customers in the Newcastle Port area including Port Waratah Coal Services which manages the Kooragang and Carrington coal terminals.
Chief Operating OfficeR, Trevor Armstrong, said it is replacing the existing Carrington zone substation.
“This new substation will play an important role, helping power the largest coal handling operation in the world, which is the economic hub of the Hunter.
“The old substation entered service back in 1967 and it needed to be replaced as major pieces of equipment are nearing the end of their working life.
“This new facility will help secure the electricity supply for 12,440 customers well into the future,” Mr Armstrong said.
The substation has been built on a former industrial site in Tighes Hill. Construction began in February 2016 after lengthy consultation with the local community and it is being delivered under budget
“The project team were able to deliver substantial savings by redesigning the building and identifying efficiencies in the electrical equipping stage,” Mr Armstrong said.
The substation has been designed to cater for any potential mine subsidence in the area with specialised foundations and strengthening of the building structure.
Ausgrid also worked to minimise the impact of construction on local wildlife habitat.
“The site includes regenerated vegetation which is home to several species of frogs and birds, so the decision was taken to locate the substation on the eastern side of the site so we could leave the western section undisturbed.
“Additional landscaping to be carried out once the substation is commissioned will use native plant species to enhance the habitat values of the site.”
Community amenity has also been considered with a new public access corridor from Elizabeth Street to Throsby Creek and improvements to the access along the creek bank.
