Construction of the largest energy transmission project in Australia has “moved into overdrive,” according to network company Transgrid, with specialist teams making “significant progress” on the eastern alignment of the EnergyConnect project across the New South Wales Riverina region.
In an update posted on Tuesday, Transgrid revealed that over 1,600 personnel are currently working on EnergyConnect, which will eventually consist of a new 900-kilometre transmission line connecting the energy grids of New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, and South Australia.
Awarded Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) status by the New South Wales government, EnergyConnect is being billed as a key element of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) Integrated System Plan for a more sustainable energy future.
Construction of 540 kilometres of new high-voltage transmission line between Buronga to Wagga Wagga is now over 70 per cent complete, and construction of a new substation at Dinawan, near Coleambally in the south of NSW, is also currently “proceeding at pace”, with the completion of major foundation works and the arrival of electrical equipment from Europe.
All 1,150 tower foundations have been drilled and poured, and 1,002 out of the total 1,150 steel towers have been erected, including 330kV freestanding and guyed towers between Buronga to Dinawan, and Australia’s first 500kV Danubio towers between Dinawan to Wagga Wagga.
Further, 278km out of 540km of high-voltage conductor cabling has been strung, and two synchronous condensers have arrived at the Dinawan substation and will be assembled and housed in a large-scale machine hall.
Major upgrades have also been completed to the 330kV Wagga Wagga substation at Gregadoo in advance of connecting the eastern end of the project to the NSW grid. Upgrades include 13 new gantries, supported by 83 concrete piles and 272 foundations, with 6,000 hours of testing already completed.
“EnergyConnect is critical to Australia’s energy transition, connecting households and businesses in the Riverina and across the state with more affordable renewable energy from three states,” said Gordon Taylor, executive general manager of major projects for Transgrid.
“Construction of the project is providing an economic boom for regional NSW, including much-needed job creation, skills development and local business support in communities across the EnergyConnect corridor.”
Transgrid, in partnership with its construction partner Elecnor Australia, are delivering the 700-kilometre NSW section of EnergyConnect, which runs from Wagga Wagga to the South Australian border with a connection into Victoria.
“The completion of the major extension and upgrade works at the Wagga Wagga substation, the ongoing progress at Dinawan, and the significant advances in transmission line construction along the eastern alignment are the result of a collaborative effort between Elecnor, Transgrid and our delivery partners,” said Felipe Delgado, project director for Elecnor Australia.
“This is a landmark project, and we’re proud to be contributing to Australia’s clean energy future while supporting the regional communities at the heart of this transition.”
ElectraNet, operating South Australia’s transmission network, completed its 200-kilometre section of the EnergyConnect project in late 2023. The 159-kilometre western section of EnergyConnect, stretching from Buronga in the southeast of NSW to South Australia and into Victoria, was completed and energised earlier this year.
According to Transgrid, construction of EnergyConnect has so far invested $255 million in supply contracts with 325 local and First Nations businesses and is also helping to provide education opportunities and skills development in regional NSW.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.