More than 1,600 personnel are working on the nation-critical project with construction of two sections of new high-voltage transmission line, stretching 540km from Buronga to Wagga Wagga, now over 70% complete.
Construction of a world-class substation at Dinawan, near Coleambally, is also proceeding at pace, with major foundations works completed and sophisticated electrical equipment arriving from Europe.
Major upgrades to the Wagga Wagga substation have been completed to prepare the eastern end of the project for connection to the NSW grid.
Transgrid and its construction partner Elecnor Australia are delivering the 700km NSW section of EnergyConnect from Wagga Wagga to the South Australian border with a connection to Victoria.
Executive General Manager of Major Projects Gordon Taylor said: “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.”
“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.”
“The project has so far invested $255 million in supply contracts with 325 local and First Nations businesses, helping them expand their workforces, skills, machinery and equipment.”
“EnergyConnect is also providing education opportunities and skills development in regional NSW including the Legacy 100 program which is training 100 workers in transmission line construction as well as 100 scholarships for engineering students at Charles Sturt University.”
“The Riverina is at the heart of the renewable energy transition and the region is currently a hive of construction activity as this nation-building project powers ahead, bringing significant benefits to local communities and energy consumers.”
Progress on the eastern alignment includes:
• All 1,150 tower foundations have been drilled and poured, using more than 53,000 cubic metres of
concrete
• 1,002 out of 1,150 steel towers have been erected, comprising 330 kV freestanding and guyed towers (Buronga to Dinawan) and Australia’s first 500 kV Danubio towers (Dinawan to Wagga Wagga)
• 278km out of 540km of high-voltage conductor cabling has been strung
• Two synchronous condensers have arrived at the Dinawan substation and will be assembled and housed in a large-scale machine hall. These sophisticated units, which weigh 200 tonnes each, will enhance grid stability as renewable energy sources increase, and
• The expansion and upgrade of the Wagga Wagga 330 kV substation at Gregadoo have been successfully completed, encompassing civil, mechanical, and electrical works. These included importing 9,500m³ of fill, building 13 new gantries, supported by 83 concrete piles and 272 foundations, and 6,000 hours of testing.
Elecnor Australia Project Director Felipe Delgado said: “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.”
“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.”
Hundreds of project workers are being accommodated in purpose-built camps at Booroorban near Hay, Bundure (Dinawan), Lockhart and Balranald, bringing more people into local communities to support local shops and businesses without adding pressure on limited housing and accommodation.
The 159km western section of EnergyConnect, from Buronga to South Australia and into Victoria, was completed and energised earlier this year.
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