The NSW Government has approved construction for TransGrid’s Powering Sydney’s Future project, which aims to increase electricity security for Sydney.
The project is designed to secure safe, reliable and affordable electricity supply for over 800,000 residents in Sydney’s CBD and inner suburbs.
NSW Energy Minister, Matt Kean, said the upgraded infrastructure will provide additional security of supply during peak demand periods for more than half a million homes and businesses.
“Parts of Sydney’s transmission and distribution networks are reaching their end of life, so this project will play a crucial role in ensuring a continuous and reliable energy supply for our communities,” Mr Kean said.
Sydney’s CBD and surrounding areas are currently supplied by electricity cables installed more than 50 years ago, which are now reaching the end of their serviceable life.
The Powering Sydney’s Future project will replace these with new high-voltage cables.
A 20km, 330kV underground transmission circuit will run between the Rookwood Road Substation in Potts Hill and the Beaconsfield West Substation in Alexandria.
The project will also upgrade substations at Potts Hill, Alexandria and Picnic Point.
As part of the approval, TransGrid will be required to minimise impacts to mature tree canopy, and plant at least two trees for every one removed during construction.
The project is expected to create 140 new construction jobs, inject $285 million into the NSW economy and be shovel ready by July 2020.
Powering Sydney’s Future is the 15th project to be determined through the Planning System Acceleration Program, which is fast-tracking project assessments to keep people in jobs and the economy moving during COVID-19.
Since the beginning of May, the Planning System Acceleration Program has injected almost $2.7 billion into the state’s economy and enabled the creation of more than 17,500 jobs right across New South Wales.
TransGrid CEO, Paul Italiano, said the company was pleased the NSW Government had fast-tracked its process and welcomed the planning approval for the project.
“Construction will begin on Powering Sydney’s Future this winter, and we will continue to work closely with residents, businesses and local councils throughout the project,” Mr Italiano said.
The project, approved by the Australian Energy Regulator in May 2018, will ensure reliability of supply to the nation’s largest economy.
“Sydney’s peak electricity demand has escalated since 2014 and even taking into account the current COVID19 crisis, it is expected to continue to grow with major new transport infrastructure projects under construction – including Sydney Metro (City and Southwest), WestConnex and the Western Harbour Tunnel and the recently opened Sydney Light Rail,” Mr Italiano said.
The Powering Sydney’s Future project is due for completion by November 2022.
View more information about the project here.
