Huge 195-tonne transformer arrives at big battery site after 1,300 km road trip

One of the heaviest and longest road trips ever undertaken in Australia’s accelerating energy transition has been completed, with the delivery of a 195-tonne transformer at a major new big battery project in the central west of New South Wales.

The Siemens transformer arrived at Ampyr Energy’s Bulabul battery site near Wellington in mid-September, completing a 1,300 km road trip and part of a 345 tonne Oversize Overmass (OSOM) specialist heavy haul convoy that measured 71 metres in length.

The four-day journey started at a port near Adelaide, and was chosen because the logistics and costs were considered more favourable than using the route from the closer port of Newcastle that is being used by the nearby Uungula wind farm, where multiple convoys of over-length blades and turbine parts are currently being executed.

The enormous weight of the turbine was a factor, as was the relatively flat profile of the route from Adelaide, despite the extra distance. Still, the convoy required extensive planning, specialist logistics, regulatory approvals and police escorts along the way.

The 400 megawatt (MW, 1,000 MWh Bulabul battery is the first of a number being developed by Ampyr, is expected to move into the commissioning process relatively soon.

“The arrival marks an exciting turning point for the project as the road to energisation begins with major high-voltage electrical installation, testing, and commissioning now underway,” the company said in a LinkedIn post.

“A huge thank you to all of our partners and Fluence teams for supporting with extensive planning, specialist logistics and regulatory approvals to ensure a safe delivery!”