Darwin’s new Darwin Zone Substation has officially opened, replacing the City Zone Substation, which has reached the end of its economic life.
The new substation comprises an indoor 66kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) as opposed to the existing outdoor 66kV switchyard.
The 66kV GIS technology is able to address the Northern Territory’s harsh, local environmental conditions.
NT Minister for Essential Services, Peter Chandler, officially opened the new $40million substation and said it aims to meet future energy demands for the region.
“Darwin has grown significantly in recent years and the Northern Territory Government is committed to meeting the demand from the residential, business and industrial communities,” Mr Chandler said.
“With a new and modern design, equipment is housed indoors and is no longer exposed to outdoor environmental factors.
“Direct lightning strikes, high winds with the potential of debris impacting structures and exposure to animals such as bats or snakes can cause significant interruptions to power supply.”
Mr Chandler said the Northern Territory Government is focused on the need to upgrade and replace older zone substations and build new ones to support growing customer load.
“The new substation is the largest in the Territory’s power system and feeds Darwin CBD and surrounding areas, improving the reliability and security of electricity supply.
“Substations are an important part of the power network and it is here that high voltage power is transformed to low voltage power that supplies customers.”
The scope of the construction works also included the design and installation of the substation building to house new switchgear and controls and three new power transformers.
“The Northern Territory Government has a plan to build the infrastructure the Territory needs now and into the future,” Mr Chandler said.
“We are delivering on better services and lower costs in the power industry to ensure reliable power supply and affordable living for Territorians.”
