Jemena is planning a major project to upgrade the gas network in North Ryde (NSW) by installing a new Primary Regulation Station (PRS) to replace the existing PRS. Work on the new PRS is scheduled to start in September and be completed by March next year. Once built, the new PRS will help maintain the reliability of gas supply to homes and businesses in the area, and to cater for growth in demand for natural gas.
The project is one of several being undertaken as part of Jemena’s investment in upgrading the gas network in the Sydney North Distribution area. This area covers Mona Vale, Manly, Northmead, and Kellyville.
Growth in demand for gas in this area is being driven by two factors:
• New high- and medium-density developments, especially in the Ku-ring-gai local government area.
• New housing estate developments with a mixture of medium density and commercial precincts in Kellyville, Rouse Hill, and Riverstone, where more than 70,000 new dwellings are forecast to be built in the next 25 to 30 years.
Jemena has successfully completed other projects in this area, such as:
• Building a new Primary Regulation Station at Lane Cove.
• Installing a new gas main into an 11km-long existing main in Wakehurst Parkway between Frenchs Forest and North Narrabeen.
• Rehabilitating 34 kilometres of gas mains in Elanora Heights, Ingleside and North Narrabeen.
Since 1987, Jemena has rehabilitated almost 6,000 kms of gas mains, representing almost a quarter of the 25,000 km-long Jemena Gas Network in New South Wales, which distributes natural gas to more than 1.2 million homes and businesses throughout the state.
“These upgrades and rehabilitation projects are all part of Jemena’s $800 million investment over the last five years to upgrade and extend the Jemena Gas Network in New South Wales” says Alf Rapisarda, Jemena’s Executive General Manager, Networks and Pipelines.
“This investment is aimed at ensuring more homes and businesses can enjoy the benefits of natural gas, at ensuring the reliability and integrity of gas supply to homes and businesses, and at meeting the growing demand for natural gas as customer numbers grow each year, “ he adds.
Each year, Jemena lays approximately 200 kilometres of new gas mains, and each year some 30,000 new customers connect to the gas network in New South Wales.
